Dystopian & Alternative History Fiction Books

Book Synopsis''Louise Carey''s dystopian future is chillingly plausible'' Claire North''Deftly written, mastefully paced, vividly imagined and absolutely gripping from the first page to last'' Joe HillWarning: use of this gate will take you outside of the InTech corporate zone. Different community guidelines may apply, and you may be asked to sign a separate end-user license agreement. Do you wish to continue?Tanta has trained all her young life for this. Her very first mission is a code red: to take her team into the unaffiliated zone just outside InTech''s borders and retrieve a stolen hard drive. It should have been quick and simple, but a surprise attack kills two of her colleagues and Tanta barely makes it home alive. Determined to prove herself and partnered with a colleague whose past is a mystery even to himself, Tanta''s investigation uncovers a sinister conspiracy that makes her question her own loyalties and the motives of evTrade ReviewIn Tanta's world, warring corporations battle over the ruins of our civilisation. This is cyberpunk rebooted. Upload this now * Stephen Baxter *Louise Carey's dystopian future is chillingly plausible . . . It is a rare gift for a book to be a warning, an adventure, a stark reminder of the fragility of the world we hold dear, and a thrilling ride that catches you by the heart and keeps you enthralled and guessing to the end * Claire North *Deftly written, masterfully paced, vividly imagined, and absolutely gripping from the first page to last . . . Inscape is a total blast. Calling Hollywood: here's your next big streaming hit * Joe Hill *A propulsive thriller plot filled with great twists and reversals. * SFX Magazine *A page-turning thriller. * The Guardian *SF that rockets along * Live Otherwise blog *The pace is cracking, the writing immersive, the action sequences excellently visual, and the characters are solid and relatable. * Fantasy Book Nerd *Manages to grip and entertain from the beginning and carves its own identity...INSCAPE is satisfying and page turning. * Fright Fest *A cool, classy, cyberpunk riff on the old cold war spy thriller * Financial Times *This is dystopian espionage cyberpunk, and it's very compelling * Concatenation *A high octane, cyberpunk-flavoured adventure * Washington Post *

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Book SynopsisTRUTH.LIES.IT CAN BE HARD TO TELL THEM APART.When a bomb goes off at InTech HQ, everything changes for Tanta''s corporation. Order becomes disorder. Safety becomes danger. Calm becomes chaos.Tanta is tasked with getting to the bottom of the attack before violence and unrest overtake the city. But even though the evidence points towards rival corporation Thoughtfront, Tanta can''t shake the feeling that she''s missing something.There''s a dark secret at the heart of the case, one that will reveal more about her own corporation than Tanta would like. And the closer Tanta gets to the mystery, the more she comes to realise something terrible: Sometimes facing the truth can be the hardest thing of all.* * * * * * * * * * *''Deft satire'' New Scientist''A page-turning thriller'' Guardian on Inscape''A high-octaine, cyberpunk-flavoured adventure'' Washington Post on ITrade ReviewDeft satire * New Scientist *Immersive and intense . . . Thoroughly enjoyable in all its thrills, spills, twists and turns: I personally cannot wait for the next Inscape instalment from Carey * Buzz Mag *Like its predecessor, Outcast is a whip-smart science fiction thriller with real depth. Conspiracies, revelations and more tension than you could wave a big stick at ensure this series continues to deliver on every level. * The Eloquent Page *Outcast is a sleek, smart, fast paced and hugely enjoyable SF thriller with two really stand-out lead characters. We have a fascinating story exploring corporation's greed and ruthlessness, the power of mind control and the morality of doing the right thing. I raced through this and had a great time apart from knowing I've a while to wait for the next book. Firmly cementing Carey as a writer to watch in the genre. Strongly recommended! * Runalong The Shelves *Inscape came along at the beginning of 2021 and blew my socks right off! And now at the beginning of 2022 we have Outcast, the second one in the series. And guess what, that blew my socks off too * Fantasy Book Nerd *There's fine world-building here, and the plot moves at pace, with a few twists and turns to keep readers wrong-footed . . . I thoroughly enjoyed this novel so this is a strong recommendation from me * Concatenation *A brilliant and powerful cyberpunk thriller read that is incredibly fun and very clever. * Unseen Library *

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Book Synopsis''Will put fear in your heart''Sunday Times''For fans of The Handmaid''s Tale, this is a must''Independent''''Does the world seem right, to you?''Years ago, Dana Mayer had a vision of a better world: one where women are in charge. Now her manifesto, The Quickening, has established the rules for a new order, designed to elevate and protect women. A genteel and peaceful society that prioritises nature, good manners and aesthetics. Of course, in order for women to maintain control, the freedoms of men have been necessarily limited. Arthur Alden loves Dana Mayer but hates the world she has created. But can he find a way to resist, without losing everything? And with Dana intent on making men pay reparations for their past crimes, can Arthur be allowed to live without punishment?***''I LOVED this story . . . A necessary read'' ⭐⭐⭐Trade ReviewFor fans of The Handmaid's Tale, this is a must * Independent *No matter how often you've fantasised of a world ruled by women, this will put fear in your heart! * The Sunday Times *A daring, dystopian tale * 1883 Magazine *The rarest of all literary beasts * The Times *The provocative novel by Riley . . . imagines a future in which women dominate and men are enslaved and emasculated * Daily Mail *A fluid and engaging love story with a truly unique heroine * Heat *A bold story of love and deception, with a fascinating main character * Woman's Own *A refreshing love story about the importance of independence and destiny * Marie Claire *'Talulah Riley is an absolute force of nature. As is her lead character. Read and revel' -- Eva Rice, author of The Lost Art of Keeping SecretsRiley is obviously super smart and has an old-fashioned, modernist sort of style that makes you think. I loved it. * Daily Mail *Praise for Acts of Love * : *

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Book SynopsisA kinetic, imaginative, and sensuous gothic novel inspired by traditional Canadian Métis legends.Trade ReviewDeftly written, gripping and informative. Empire of Wild is a rip-roaring read! * Margaret Atwood *Empire of Wild is doing everything I love in a contemporary novel and more. It is tough, funny, beautiful, honest and propulsive . . . Cherie Dimaline is a voice that feels both inevitable and necessary. * Tommy Orange, author of THERE THERE *Settle in for an utterly compelling blend of propulsive narrative, starkly beautiful writing and passionate, near dysfunctional love, based in the mixed-heritage Métis community of western Canada. * Daily Mail *A blend of close-knit emotional bonds and ambiguous menace... Dimaline's novel is able to take the plot to some unexpectedly phantasmagorical places without losing sight of its emotional core... Stories and their telling run throughout this book, from official histories to tales of uncanny and mythic creatures whispered about late at night... Dimaline here turns an old story into something newly haunting and resonant. * New York Times Review of Books *Empire of Wild is a small book. But it is not a slight book. It is close, tight, stark, beautiful - rich where richness is warranted, but spare where want and sorrow have sharpened every word. And through multiple narrators (including free-floating, disjointed chapters from Victor which haunt every major angle of the plot), disconnected timelines, the strange geographies of memory and storytelling, Dimaline has crafted something both current and timeless, mythic but personal. It is the story of Joan and her love. Joan and her loss. Joan and her family. Joan and her monster. * NPR *Sharp. * New Yorker *Wildly entertaining and profound and essential. * New York Times *Exhilarating. * Lit Hub *Revelatory... Gritty and engaging, this story of a woman and her missing husband is one of candor, wit and tradition." * Ms. Magazine *Dimaline trusts her readers. Her characters reiterate the importance of heritage, culture, and representation to their careless and dismissive youth, but she uses language that compels everyone to take heed - native or not; old or young... Dimaline has written this narrator as if she is moving from room to room, traveling through the pages: yes, she has seen and survived it all and when it comes right down to it, Dimaline makes it clear that when it comes to standing up for her people, she is wildly excited about the choreography of a damn good fight. * Chicago Review of Books *The novel is at times sad, at times humorous, and at times terrifying. Smartly written with believable characters, a tight plot, and breathtaking sentences, this is a must-read literary thriller. * Publishers Weekly (starred review) *Canadian writer Cherie Dimaline blends fantasy, monsters and contemporary First Nation struggles in a powerful and inventive novel... Empire of Wild seamlessly mixes realistic characters with the spiritual and supernatural. As much a literary thriller as a testament to Indigenous female empowerment and strength, Empire of Wild will excite readers with its rapid plot and move them with its dedication to the truths of the Métis community. * Book Page (starred review) *

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Book SynopsisFrom the author of the thrilling science-fiction epic Children of Time, winner of the prestigious Arthur C. Clarke Award.They thought we were safe. They were wrong. Four years ago, two girls went looking for monsters on Bodmin Moor. Only one came back. Lee thought she’d lost Mal, but now she’s miraculously returned. But what happened that day on the moors? And where has she been all this time? Mal’s reappearance hasn’t gone unnoticed by MI5 officers either, and Lee isn’t the only one with questions. Julian Sabreur is investigating an attack on top physicist Kay Amal Khan. This leads Julian to clash with agents of an unknown power – and they may or may not be human. His only clue is grainy footage, showing a woman who supposedly died on Bodmin Moor. Dr Khan’s research was theoretical; then she found cracks between our world and parallel Earths. Now these cracks are widening, revealing extraordinary creatures. And as the doors crash open, anything could come through.'Inventive, funny and engrossing, this book lingers long after you close it' - Tade Thompson, Arthur C. Clarke Award-winning author of RosewaterAdrian Tchaikovsky is the author of Children of Time, Children of Ruin and many other novels, novellas and short stories. Children of Time won the Arthur C. Clarke award in its 30th anniversary year. Trade ReviewFull of sparking, speculative invention . . . The Doors of Eden is a terrific timeslip / lost world romp in the grand tradition of Turtledove, Hoyle, even Conan Doyle. If you liked Primeval, read this book -- Stephen BaxterThe Doors of Eden shows a combination of tight, evocative prose combined with erudition. In a story whose scope is the broad canvas of the history of all life in the universe, Tchaikovsky manages to zoom in on human moments without breaking a sweat. Inventive, funny and engrossing, this book lingers long after you close it -- Tade ThompsonWhat a ride . . . talks like big-brained science fiction and runs like a fleet-footed political thriller -- John ScalziWith The Doors of Eden, Tchaikovsky has created a fantastic and highly imaginative new genre: evolution SF -- Peter F. HamiltonUnlike anything I've read in a very long time, and all the better for it . . . Tchaikovsky is clearly at the top of his game right now -- James OswaldAs all right thinking people know, Adrian is the best . . . But this, my friends, is the best of the best -- Ian McDonaldTchaikovsky’s world-building is some of the best in modern sci-fi and now he has made an enchanting multiverse of parallel Earths -- New ScientistAll underpinned by great ideas. And it is crisply modern – but with the sensibility of classic science fiction. Asimov or Clarke might have written this -- Stephen Baxter on Children of RuinYou know you’re in for a ride. . . This book thoroughly engaged me. Children of Ruin is a humdinger of a book I enjoyed immensely -- Neal Asher on Children of RuinIf you only ever take one book recommendation from me, take this one. It is an astounding book. The breadth of Adrian's imagination is ASTONISHING. I literally cannot stop telling people about it -- RJ Barker on Children of RuinBreathtaking scope and vision. Adrian Tchaikovsky is one of our finest writers -- Gareth Powell on Children of RuinBrilliant science fiction and far-out world-building -- James McAvoy on Children of TimeChildren of Time is a joy from start to finish. Entertaining, smart, surprising and unexpectedly human -- Patrick Ness on Children of TimeAddictively brilliant! -- John Gwynne on The Tiger and the Wolf

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Book SynopsisUtopia (1516) is a work of political satire by Thomas More. Published in Latin while More was serving as Privy Counsellor under King Henry VIII, the text is stylized as a true account of a new civilization discovered in the New World by traveler Raphael Hythlodaeus. While there have been varying interpretations of Utopia over the centuries, it is most consistently regarded as a work of political philosophy in the tradition of Plato’s Republic that satirizes European society by contrast with the laws and traditions of the Utopian people. “The island of Utopia is in the middle two hundred miles broad, and holds almost at the same breadth over a great part of it, but it grows narrower towards both ends. Its figure is not unlike a crescent.” For centuries, Utopia has been seen as an essential work of Renaissance humanism for its vision of a just and highly organized political system characterized by the abolition of private property, communal values, full employment, and free accessible healthcare. While scholars have long debated whether More envisioned his Utopia as a positive representation of society or as merely an unattainable vision of life on earth, his work remains an essential contribution to political discourse that continues to inform readers today. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Thomas More’s Utopia is a classic work of English literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisNew Amazonia: A Foretaste of the Future (1889) is a novel by Elizabeth Burgoyne Corbett. In June 1889, British novelist and President of the Women’s National Anti-Suffrage League Mary Augusta Ward published her reactionary essay “An Appeal Against Female Suffrage” in The Nineteenth Century. In response, Corbett penned New Amazonia, a feminist utopian novel which depicts the emergence of an advanced society of women in the not-so-distant future. While little is known about Corbett, her surviving novels and stories suggest she was a passionate campaigner for women’s suffrage in an era of conservative politics and traditional values. “‘This country is New Amazonia. A long time ago it was called Erin by some, but Ireland was the name it was best known by. It used to be the scene of perpetual strife and warfare. Our archives tell us that it was subjugated by the warlike English, and that it suffered for centuries from want and oppression.’” Having fallen asleep for hundreds of years, a Victorian man and woman emerge to a vastly different world. Following a devastating war between Britain and Ireland, the British repopulated their colony with women deemed to be surplus. On New Amazonia, these women came to control all aspects of government and culture, leading to the eradication of corruption and oppression. Scientifically advanced, the Amazonians have developed a technique for strengthening the human body and increasing the lifespan of women by hundreds of years. Mesmerized by what she finds in this fascinating new world, the narrator records her reactions alongside those of her male counterpart, who remains openly hostile to the Amazonians throughout. For its depiction of an advanced matriarchal society and celebration of feminist ideals, New Amazonia: A Foretaste of the Future remains an important early work of utopian science fiction. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Elizabeth Burgoyne Corbett’s New Amazonia: A Foretaste of the Future is a classic of feminist utopian fiction reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisSet in a thinly disguised sixteenth-century England, Megan Campisi's The Sin Eater is a wonderfully rich story of treason and treachery; of women, of power, and the strange freedom that comes from being an outcast – because, sometimes, being a nobody sometimes counts for everything . . .'A dark and thrilling page-turner that turns a dystopian eye on the past in an unnervingly contemporary way' - Emma Donoghue, author of Room.A Sin Eater’s duty is a necessary evil: she hears the confessions of the dying, eats their sins as a funeral rite. Stained by these sins, she is shunned and silenced, doomed to live in exile at the edge of town.Recently orphaned May Owens is just fourteen, only concerned with where her next meal is coming from. When she’s arrested for stealing a loaf of bread, however, and subsequently sentenced to become a Sin Eater, finding food is suddenly the last of her worries.It’s a devastating sentence, but May’s new invisibility opens new doors. And when first one then two of the Queen’s courtiers suddenly grow ill, May hears their deathbed confessions – and begins to investigate a terrible rumour that is only whispered of amid palace corridors . . .Can you uncover the truth when you’re forbidden from speaking it?Trade ReviewA dark and thrilling page-turner that turns a dystopian eye on the past in an unnervingly contemporary way. All hail Megan Campisi -- Emma Donoghue, author of Room and The WonderRich with imaginative and historical details, The Sin Eater is ultimately a timeless story of one woman regaining her power. I loved it from beginning to end -- Christina Dalcher, author of VoxCaptivating . . . An original melding of mystery and alternate history * Booklist *Richly imaginative and strikingly contemporary [and] very much reminiscent of The Handmaid’s Tale * Kirkus *[A] rousing, impressive debut . . . Spellbinding * Publisher's Weekly *Magnificent . . . Hillary Mantel’s Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies brought new vividness and insight to the court of Henry VIII; in The Sin Eater, Megan Campisi brings as much or more energy to the court of Elizabeth I * New York Journal of Books *

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Book SynopsisGhostalker Ropa Moyo and her rag-tag team of magicians are back in The Mystery at Dunvegan Castle, the third book in the spellbinding Edinburgh Nights series by T. L. Huchu.’Alluring, shadowy Edinburgh with its hints of sophisticated academic magic will draw you in' - Olivie Blake, author on The Atlas Six on The Library of the DeadShe came for magic. She stayed to solve a murder . . .Ropa Moyo is no stranger to magic or mysteries. But she’s still stuck in an irksomely unpaid internship. So she’s thrilled to attend a magical convention at Dunvegan Castle, on the Isle of Skye, where she’ll rub elbows with eminent magicians.For Ropa, it’s the perfect opportunity to finally prove her worth. Then a librarian is murdered and a precious scroll stolen. Suddenly, every magician is a suspect, and Ropa and her allies investigate. Trapped in a castle, with suspicions mounting, Ropa must contend with corruption, skulduggery and power plays. Time to ask for a raise?'Fast-moving and entertaining . . . Stupendously engaging' - Ben Aaronovitch, author of the Rivers of London series'I highly recommend The Library of the Dead' - Charlaine Harris, author of the Sookie Stackhouse seriesTrade ReviewTendai’s alternative Edinburgh becomes more real and more exciting with every book. An artful combination of magic, history and imagination wrapped up in an engaging story -- Ben Aaronovitch, bestselling author of Rivers of London on Our Lady of Mysterious AilmentsThe Library of the Dead’s alluring, shadowy Edinburgh with its hints of sophisticated academic magic will draw you in, but it’s Ropa – a hard knocks ghostalker on her paranormal grind to pay the rent – who grabs hold. The moment you meet her, you’ll follow wherever she goes -- Olivie Blake, author of The Atlas Six on The Library of the DeadAn absolute delight . . . kept me totally hooked -- Genevieve Cogman, author of the Invisible Library series on The Library of the Dead

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Book Synopsis_____________________________What if our future lies 40,000 years in our past? Subject Twenty-One is an astonishing debut novel in which a young woman's refusal to accept the status quo opens her eyes to the lies her society is built on.A stonking good sci-fi & coming-of-age story all wrapped into one . . . a book that tackles humanity, hardship, and classism at the deepest level.' - Magic Radio Book ClubElise's world is forever changed when she is given the opportunity of a lifetime - to work at the Museum of Evolution and be a Companion to the Neanderthal, Subject Twenty-One.As a Sapien, a member of the lowest order of humans, she and others like her are held responsible for the damages inflicted on the world by previous generations. This job may be Elise's only chance to escape a stagnating life in an ostracised and impoverished community.But it doesn't take long for Elise to realise that, away from the familiarity and safety of her home, her own secrets are much harder to conceal. And the longer she stays the more she comes to realise that little separates her from the exhibits . . . and a cage of her own.________________________________PRAISE FOR THE TOMORROW'S ANCESTORS SERIES'An unputdownable exploration into the ethics of science' Buzz Magazine'Incredible . . . without a doubt one of the best YA sci-fi books I've ever read' Out and About Books'Instantly engaging . . . widens out from a tale of a girl trying to find her own identity to a broader story encompassing an entire population's burden of oppression, and the desire for freedom' Track of Words'One of the rare debuts that are really five star reads. Subject Twenty One grabbed me instantly and I couldn't put it down' Dom Reads__________________________________________________Make sure you've read the whole series!1. Subject Twenty-One2. The Hidden Base3. The Fourth SpeciesTrade ReviewA stonking good sci-fi & coming-of-age story all wrapped into one . . . a book that tackles humanity, hardship, and classism at the deepest level. * Magic Radio Book Club *An unputdownable exploration into the ethics of science * Buzz Magazine *A laudable debut with a sustained narrative and characterisations that demand the reader keep on their toes. * NB Magazine *Incredible . . . without a doubt one of the best YA sci-fi books I've ever read. * Out and About Books *An unexpectedly wonderful read. Unique and engaging with full Jurassic vibes to boot. * Fictional Maiden *[An] amazing debut sci-fi novel . . . I'd recommend everyone to read if you want a unique and fresh dystopian storyline * Darkling Reads *Instantly engaging . . . widens out from a tale of a girl trying to find her own identity to a broader story encompassing an entire population's burden of oppression, and the desire for freedom * Track of Words *This is one of the rare debuts that are really five star reads. Subject Twenty One grabbed me instantly and I couldn't put it down * DOMREADS *This book quickly made its way into my heart as the first book that included sign language throughout . . .I was honestly could have continued to read it indefinitely, such is the excellent craftsmanship of the story and the pull in the emotions. * Lauren Sparks *A thought-provoking and enjoyable read with intriguing premises and an original setting. * Future Fire Reviews *A fascinating read * Cheryl M-M's Book Blog *An interesting story, wonderfully written. * Jera's Jamboree *Well-thought out and fun to read. * Rosie Writes *A well-told story, incorporating some particularly interesting ideas. * Popular Science *Warren's ideas in this book are wonderful, playing on the current ambivalence about genetic engineering and envisaging a world in which it's the basis of a whole new caste system. * The Idle Woman *A unique and intriguing narrative in a believable dystopia. * Feed Me Fiction *Incredibly well-written...would happily recommend it to everyone. * Blam Books *Full of clever imaginings that make a thought provoking read . . . I found myself completely gripped by the story and fully immersed in its eerily atmospheric world. * BookClubForMe *Really interesting and thought provoking . . . explores the idea of what it is to be human, and whether we can live alongside each other without feeling the need to be "better" than anyone else * RamblingMads *I really loved Subject Twenty One . . . I just couldn't stop reading. This book made me cry, made me laugh, and made me think about my own life. * Nerdy Book Dragon *A treat for nerds [with] a focus on genetic engineering and reversing extinction * Sifa Elizabeth Reads *Absolutely fascinating! If you're a fan of Jurassic Park, Tahereh Mafi & Marie Lu's work, then this is the perfect book for you! * A Bookish Star *I really liked this book. Right from the start the story drew me in . . . I can't wait for the next book * Mugful of Books *So enjoyable and a super fast read . . . Made me feel proud of being a STEM girl . . . Go read this book for the adventure and discovery! * REBIREADS *Now THIS is a book I really enjoyed . . . covers some really great themes that are both topical and interesting. Social psychology, anthropology, paleontology, bias, racism, ethics - it's got it all! * Horner's Book Corner *Fascinating . . . has twists & turns & even broke my heart into tiny little pieces. I'd recommend this to fans of the Hunger Games, Maze Runner & Ready Player One. * BOOKIEMAMABEAR *This Jurassic Park-esque concept grabbed me immediately . . . a fresh, gripping read with themes of suspense, trust, ethics and friendships * Book Phenomena *I absolutely devoured this book . . . Warren did a perfect job of pulling me in and answering some of my questions, but leaving enough of it unanswered so that I want more . . . and I definitely do! I can't wait for the next instalment! * Elle Reads Books *

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Book Synopsis__________________________________________________To protect the past, they must fight for their future. In the thrilling third book in the Tomorrow's Ancestors series a devastating change is on the horizon.'A stonking good sci-fi & coming-of-age story all wrapped into one . . . a book that tackles humanity, hardship, and classism at the deepest level.' - Magic Radio Book ClubElise has now been working for the infiltration department for a year, but is growing frustrated with their lack of progress, their unwillingness to fight back against an unjust world. When it's announced that they're going on the offensive, will she be ready for the consequences?Twenty-Two finally has her freedom after serving her term of imprisonment. But not everyone believes she deserves to be released. If she is not welcome in Uracil, then where does she belong?Genevieve's life as a high-ranking Medius is perfectly crafted to hide all weakness, but when she finds out what the Potior's have planned next at the Museum of Evolution, she starts to question her choices, and the cracks begin to show. Can she keep herself from shattering?When a threat none of these women could have predicted comes to pass, they are all left to fight for their futures. Whether they are ready for it or not, their worlds will collide and nothing will be the same again . . .__________________________________________________PRAISE FOR THE TOMORROW'S ANCESTORS SERIES'An unputdownable exploration into the ethics of science' Buzz Magazine'Incredible . . . without a doubt one of the best YA sci-fi books I've ever read' Out and About Books'Instantly engaging . . . widens out from a tale of a girl trying to find her own identity to a broader story encompassing an entire population's burden of oppression, and the desire for freedom' Track of Words'One of the rare debuts that are really five star reads. Subject Twenty One grabbed me instantly and I couldn't put it down' Dom Reads__________________________________________________Make sure you've read the whole series!1. Subject Twenty-One2. The Hidden Base3. The Fourth Species Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE FOURTH SPECIES -- :Crisp and clean, with just the right mix of brusque practicality to move the plot along, interspersed with hauntingly beautiful moments of character introspection and emotion. * Julia Blake, author of Black Ice *There's danger, action, adventure and excitement. There's heartbreak and loss alongside community and determination. There's manipulation, disappointment, and a few plot twists along the way. * Rachel Churcher, author of Battle Ground *The plot is fast paced and action packed and I honestly couldn't put it down . . . If you still haven't picked up this series yet, what are you doing?! * Elle Reads Books *Engaging . . . the characters are facing bigger stakes and threats. * Sifa Elizabeth Reads *

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Book SynopsisThe future is within their grasp - can they rise to meet it? In this powerful conclusion to the Tomorrow's Ancestors series, the rebels of Uracil have one final choice to make.After the devastating attack on Uracil, the safety it once offered Elise and her friends has been shattered. Desperate, alone and scared, they need to find the residents captured during the attack, and create a new place of safety before they are found once more.But how can they ever truly feel safe when they suspect there is a traitor among them?And when Samuel and Genevieve unexpectedly return, it throws things even further into disarray. With competing motivations and loyalties around every corner, should they focus on finding safety for themselves, or try once more to change the world for the better?Can they rise, one final time?__________________________________________________PRAISE FOR THE TOMORROW'S ANCESTORS SERIES'An unputdownable exploration into the ethics of science' Buzz Magazine'Incredible . . . without a doubt one of the best YA sci-fi books I've ever read' Out and About Books'Instantly engaging . . . widens out from a tale of a girl trying to find her own identity to a broader story encompassing an entire population's burden of oppression, and the desire for freedom' Track of Words'One of the rare debuts that are really five star reads. Subject Twenty One grabbed me instantly and I couldn't put it down' Dom Reads__________________________________________________Make sure you've read the whole series!1. Subject Twenty-One2. The Hidden Base3. The Fourth Species4. The Final RisingTrade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE TOMORROW'S ANCESTORS SERIES * : *A stonking good sci-fi & coming-of-age story all wrapped into one . . . a book that tackles humanity, hardship, and classism at the deepest level * Magic Radio Book Club *There's danger, action, adventure and excitement. There's heartbreak and loss alongside community and determination. There's manipulation, disappointment, and a few plot twists along the way. * Rachel Churcher, author of Battle Ground *An unputdownable exploration into the ethics of science * Buzz Magazine *The plot is fast paced and action packed and I honestly couldn't put it down . . . If you still haven't picked up this series yet, what are you doing?! * Elle Reads Books *

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Book Synopsis'A wonderful discovery' (Ian McEwan), this is a beguiling dystopian tale of a young man confronted with the truth about freedom. On a hot summer night, a young man sits in a dark cell in a Hungarian prison. The guards do not explain why he is here; he does not know if he will ever be released. But he is far from alone. Others, too, are trapped within the stone walls - singers and students, sages and spies. As the days pass, the man is drawn into their conversations and their lives, and soon becomes a witness to their sometimes outlandish acts of rebellion.Written in the early 1980s and inspired by Andrew Szepessy's own experiences, Epitaphs for Underdogs is a beguiling and exhilarating novel about power, justice and freedom, and about the solidarity that can be found in even the most unexpected places.'Beautiful... With its sense of the absurd, its laughter in the dark, it belongs in the great tradition of dystopian literature, with echoes of early Kundera and Nabokov' IAN McEWANTrade ReviewEpitaphs for Underdogs is a strange and beautiful fiction, a profound meditation on the totalitarian spirit, enriched by dark humour and warm observation. With its sense of the absurd, its laughter in the dark, it belongs in the great tradition of dystopian literature, with echoes of early Kundera and Nabokov. Szepessy is a wonderful discovery -- IAN McEWAN

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Book Synopsis'If you're looking for your next Handmaid's Tale-esque fix, this is it' Belfast TelegraphThe highly acclaimed debut novel about the power of women, for fans of Margaret Atwood and Naomi Alderman.They say wickedness lies in the sea.To touch the water - to even look at it - will stir up the sin that naturally lives in the heart of each woman. The only path to salvation is obedience, marriage and motherhood. Those women on the isle of Eden who fail in their duty will be cast back into the dark water, without mercy.But the sea calls to Esta. It always has.When danger forces Esta beyond the shallows, she uncovers a different world. One of freedom and power. It sets her on a course to uncover a secret sunk beneath the waves and the truth that will tear Eden apart.The Seawomen is a fiercely written and timely feminist novel, at once gothic, fantastical and truly unforgettable, for fans of Margaret Atwood and Kiran Millwood Hargrave.'A gripping tale of love and bravery' SOPHIE WARD, author or The Schoolhouse'Unsettling and lushly written' KIRSTY LOGAN, author of Now She is Witch'A powerful, enchanting novel' ANNA BAILEY, author of Tall Bones'Mesmerising and moving' SUSANNAH WISE, author of The Fragile EarthTrade ReviewBeautifully written ... a great concept, brilliantly executed, and it is essential reading for dystopian fiction fans -- Sunday Business PostIf you're looking for your next Handmaid's Tale-esque fix, this is it -- Belfast TelegraphTimms unmasks organised religion as a gleaming façade for misogynistic cults, and explores how easily whispered rumours can spiral into mass hysteria. Bonus points for her shockingly nasty villain, Father Jessop * SFX *An unsettling and lushly-written reimagining of witch trials, exploring fertility, control and how what we believe can save us - or destroy us. The Handmaid's Tale meets The Shape of Water -- Kirsty LoganA gripping tale of love and bravery; The Seawomen immerses you in its watery world. -- Sophie WardThis book sucked me under and held me in its gorgeous, terrifying embrace. It's a rare treat to read a story so gripping told in such beautiful prose. Dive in and don't look back. -- Zoe GilbertRichly atmospheric, powerful and provocative. A raw and beautiful coming of age story. -- Caroline LeaI read this beautiful novel in a fever dream, its sweeping prose carrying me away like a boat out at sea. Chloe Timms has written an extraordinary tale of one woman's desire for freedom, for love. Mesmerising and moving, I couldn't put it down. -- Susannah WiseA powerful, enchanting novel, with prose so vivid you can taste the salt in the air on your tongue -- Anna BaileyTimms' writing is at once lyrical and measured, bold and tender. The lens she offers us to look through is an unusual and passionate love story, which renders The Seawomen as gripping as it is haunting. -- The Swansea BayA beautiful and profoundly satisfying novel. I was enthralled from the opening scenes and didn't want it to end. I loved this book. Vivid, magical, entrancing. -- Cathy RentzenbrinkAn unsettling and lushly-written reimagining of witch trials, exploring fertility, control and how what we believe can save us - or destroy us. The Handmaid's Tale meets The Shape of Water. * Kirsty Logan, author of The Gloaming *A gripping tale of love and bravery; The Seawomen immerses you in its watery world. -- Sophie Ward, author of Booker longlisted Love and Thought ExperimentsThis book sucked me under and held me in its gorgeous, terrifying embrace. It's a rare treat to read a story so gripping told in such beautiful prose. Dive in and don't look back. -- Zoe Gilbert, author of FolkA tale as slippery as a fish... I was never quite sure of what things were. Feminist allegory, modern folklore, or romance? Maybe The Seawomen is all of those things, and more. In any case, I was hooked.Richly atmospheric, powerful and provocative. A raw and beautiful coming of age story. * Caroline Lea, author of The Glass Woman *Fiercely feminist and utterly unique. Timms is a bold new talent. This is a story about oppression, the bonds that tie us - and the lies that break us. Suspenseful and intensely engaging, from Timms' lyrical writing to the genre-bending, unpredictable plot, you won't be able to put this one down. * Natasha Ngan, bestselling author of the Girls of Paper and Fire series *Hold your breath and hang on to hope. Perfect for fans of The Gloaming by Kirsty Logan and The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave, The Seawomen is a captivating and sometimes terrifying debut that will sweep you out to sea. * Jen Campbell, author of The Beginning of the World in the Middle of the Night *I read this beautiful novel in a fever dream, its sweeping prose carrying me away like a boat out at sea. Chloe Timms has written an extraordinary tale of one woman's desire for freedom, for love. Mesmerising and moving, I couldn't put it down. I have no doubt it will feature on everyone's lists * Susannah Wise, author of This Fragile Earth *Beautifully written, unsettling as a storm over the ocean, Timms' novel reads like the darkest fable, pulling you in like the tide. * Louise Morrish, author of Operation Moonlight *An astonishing literary achievement, The Seawomen punches you in the gut, pulls you under the water and keeps you gasping for air until the very end. This is not just a story about love and survival but also about women's empowerment and the idea that no one's life is worth more than another. Chloe Timms is an extraordinary new talent. * Laura Price, author of Single Bald Female *An allegorical love story with echoes of fairytales and told with a visceral brutality. At its heart it is about whether to believe what we are told over what we feel to be true * Kate Sawyer, author of Costa shortlisted The Stranding *It isn't often that a novel grips me, unsettles me and totally blows me away with its unpredictability, but Timms manages it. A provocative, imaginative and beautifully written work of art * Becca Day, author of The Girl Beyond the Gate *The Seawomen is an evocative, atmospheric read. I was drawn into the insular community of Eden's Isle, heavy with secrets and lies. The final chapters in particular were incredibly compelling - I didn't come up for air until I'd finished the whole thing -- Louise Carey, author of InscapeSuch a compelling read, filled with myth & desire & the sea -- Katie Hale, author of My Name is MonsterThe Seawomen is simply astonishing - a salt-smattered, genre-bending masterpiece written in the most exquisite, evocative prose. This is perfect for fans of Midsommar, The Handmaid's Tale and The Shape of Water. Dizzyingly, intoxicatingly beautiful -- Lizzie Pook, author of Moonlight and the Pearler's DaughterThe Seawomen literally took my breath away. Masterfully crafted and exquisite writing. This novel is what I call a masterpiece -- Lizzie Damilola Blackburn, author of Yinka, Where Is Your Huzband?A powerful, enchanting novel, with prose so vivid you can taste the salt in the air on your tongue -- Anna Bailey, author of Tall BonesChloe Timms is creating quite a stir in the literary world with her debut novel The Seawomen ... a hugely atmospheric book of power and control with the brilliant character of Esta at its centre. For fans of The Handmaid's Tale and The Power. * The Style Life *With splashes of The Handmaid's Tale and the isolated, quasi-religious communities in the films Midsommar and The Village, this is a book you can truly submerge yourself in; so take a deep breath and dive beneath the waves' * Cambridge Edition *Timms unmasks organised religion as a gleaming façade for misogynistic cults, and explores how easily whispered rumours can spiral into mass hysteria. Bonus points for her shockingly nasty villain, Father Jessop * SFX *If you're looking for your next Handmaid's Tale-esque fix, this is it * Belfast Telegraph *Beautifully written ... a great concept, brilliantly executed, and it is essential reading for dystopian fiction fans * Sunday Business Post *I adored this novel. I was completely hooked by Esta, Cal and the island. Transported by Chloe's incredible ability to write landscape and the body so powerfully. The prose is beautiful, each delicious sentence captures the reader and the story builds with sublime pacing and a taut plot that keeps you turning the page. If you like Sophie Mackintosh or Megan Hunter get this book. It's like Breaking the Waves meets The Essex Serpent. Chloe Timms is such a singular talent and I'll be reading everything she writes -- Olivia Fitzsimons author of The Quiet Whispers Never Stop

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Book Synopsis'Her observation of our species is tender, precise, illuminating' Hilary Mantel THE NEW NOVEL BY THE BOOKER LONGLISTED AND ARTHUR C CLARKE AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF THE TESTAMENT OF JESSIE LAMBADAPTED FROM THE HIT BBC RADIO 4 PLAY'An ambitious and important writer' New York Times'Unputdownable and often thought-provoking' Sunday Times'Grimly plausible' GuardianIn this version of London, there is a small, private clinic. Behind its layers of security, procedures are taking place on poor, robust teenagers from northern Estates in exchange for thousands of pounds - procedures that will bring the wealthy dead back to life in these young supple bodies for fourteen days.It's an opportunity for wrongs to be righted, for fathers to meet grandsons, for scientists to see their work completed. Old wine in new bottles.But at what cost?MORE PRAISE FOR JANE ROGERS AND BODY TOURISTS:'Gripping' Mail on Sunday'Very much a novel about human nature . . . an insightful examination of the things people truly value' SciFi Now'A wonderfully versatile novelist' Penelope Lively'Rogers' prose flows elegantly and with effortless power' Observer'A compulsive and compelling slice of fiction' Sunday ExpressTrade ReviewHer observation of our species is tender, precise, illuminating -- Hilary MantelUnputdownable and often thought-provoking * Sunday Times *Grimly plausible . . . Moving * Guardian *Rogers has never been afraid to expose the dark underside of people's psyches, their shoddy motives and secret compulsions * Guardian *Gripping and thought-provoking * Mail on Sunday *[A] compulsive and compelling slice of fiction * Sunday Express *Body Tourists is very much a novel about human nature. Told through a variety of different perspectives . . . the novel is an insightful examination of the things people truly value * SciFi Now *Jane Rogers is a wonderfully versatile novelist -- Penelope LivelyAn ambitious and important writer * New York Times *Rogers' prose flows elegantly and with effortless power * Observer *A clever, bold and entertaining novel with serious undercurrents concerning medical ethics, class privilege, deprivation and manipulationAs the trials are marred by unforeseen battles between will and flesh, tantalising moral questions are raised about gender, class, race, mortality and the pursuit of ever smarter, ever more human artificial intelligence. * Bookanista *An extraordinary novel about an ordinary situation - the unravelling of a marriage -- (Review of CONRAD AND ELEANOR) * The Times *Brilliantly done - a sustained exploration of the polarities at the enduring heart of love -- (Review of CONRAD AND ELEANOR) * Guardian *A literary dystopia that packs an emotional punch . . . The novel does not set up an elaborate apocalypse, but astringently strips away the smears hiding the apocalypses we really face. -- (Review of Booker-longlisted THE TESTAMENT OF JESSIE LAMB) * Independent on Sunday *Beautifully constructed and controlled . . . an absorbing, nuanced drama about moral choices and personal responsibility -- (Review of THE VOYAGE HOME) * Sunday Telegraph *A voyage of self-discovery that is eloquent, lucid and entirely enthralling -- (Review of THE VOYAGE HOME) * Daily Mail *A startling and gripping exploration of love, grief, responsibility and power that moves effortlessly from the personal - the pain of a woman who has recently lost her father - to one of the most hotly debated and emotive issues of the moment, the plight of asylum seekers . . . A wonderfully humane and vividly written story that will keep you entranced until the last page -- (Review of THE VOYAGE HOME) * Red Magazine *A triumphant creation . . . the authorial voice has a chameleon quality; she speaks with tongues. And the tongue here is persuasive indeed -- (Review of ISLAND) * Independent *Rogers' use of genuine historical detail is brilliant, she knows exactly what to use, and when to stop. * Canberra Times *Cuts to the bone * Sunday Times *Her observation of our species is tender, precise, illuminating -- Hilary MantelJane Rogers is a wonderfully versatile novelist -- Penelope LivelyAn ambitious and important writer * The New York Times *Cuts to the bone * The Sunday Times *Rogers has never been afraid to expose the dark underside of people's psyches, their shoddy motives and secret compulsions * Guardian *Roger's prose flows elegantly and with effortless power * Observer *

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Book SynopsisRadio Life: a gripping adventure and a riveting political thriller: The Commonwealth, a post-apocalyptic civilisation on the rise, is locked in a clash of ideas with the Keepers . . . a fight which threatens to destroy the world . . . again.When Lilly was first Chief Engineer at The Commonwealth, nearly fifty years ago, the Central Archive wasn't yet the greatest repository of knowledge in the known world, protected by scribes copying every piece of found material - books, maps, even scraps of paper - and disseminating them by Archive Runners to hidden off-site locations for safe keeping. Back then, there was no Order of Silence to create and maintain secret routes deep into the sand-covered towers of the Old World or into the northern forests beyond Sea Glass Lake. Back then, the world was still quiet, because Lilly hadn't yet found the Harrington Box.But times change. Recently, the Keepers have started gathering to the east of Yellow Ridge - thousands upon thousands of them - and every one of them determined to burn the Central Archives to the ground, no matter the cost, possessed by an irrational fear that bringing back the ancient knowledge will destroy the world all over again. To prevent that, they will do anything.Fourteen days ago the Keepers chased sixteen-year-old Archive Runner Elimisha into a forbidden Old World Tower and brought the entire thing down on her. Instead of being killed, though, she slipped into an ancient unmapped bomb shelter where she has discovered a cache of food and fresh water, a two-way radio like the one Lilly's been working on for years . . . and something else. Something that calls itself 'the internet' . . .Trade ReviewOne of the most captivating epics I've read in ages, evoking a convincing sense of fragile social structure reminiscent of China Miéville at his best, in combination with a philosophical underpinning that lends real weight to the stakes. It reads like Mad Max as imagined by Neal Stephenson. It's luxuriantly immersive, truly transporting in a way that is invaluable during these trying times * CHRIS BROOKMYRE, bestselling author of FALLEN ANGEL, on RADIO LIFE *If like me you loved Norwegian by Night, and American by Day, dive straight into Radio Life. It's a post-apocalyptic exploration of how we rebuild, but much more than that, it's a gripping, clever, frightening, funny adventure. Trust me, it's a good one * Val McDermid, Sunday Times Number One bestselling author of Still Life *A smart and thought-provoking piece of work * FINANCIAL TIMES, Pick of the Best New Science Fiction *His world-building is enthralling; hundreds of tiny details enchant as he renders our civilisation strange by showing it through retrospective eyes * SUNDAY TIMES *An ambitious detour into pure science fiction * CRIME TIME *A complex mosaic novel filtered through the viewpoints of a large cast that builds a convincing picture of a future world riven by opposing ideologies * THE GUARDIAN *Strong central women drive the story, which is often witty and always pulls you onto the next page. Radio Life is a return to form with (pun intended) knobs on * THE BIG ISSUE *Sure Derek Miller's novels are smart and full of heart and savvy . . . he's as dedicated as any writer I know to the proposition that readers should enjoy themselves, should delight in the experience of life and language. If our hearts get broken along the way, so much the better. * Richard Russo, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of EVERYBODY'S FOOL *Disturbing and philosophical, the reliable Derek B. Miller's latest shares its theme with Robert Harris's brilliant The Second Sleep * WEEKEND SPORT *A powerful, multi-layered political thriller set in a post-apocalyptic civilisation * CHOICE magazine *Witty, intelligent, thought-provoking and immensely entertaining . . . I know it is only January, but this is surely a candidate for the best novel of 2021 * SHOTS MAGAZINE *Philosophical, humorous, and heart-breaking in equal measure, Radio Life is a novel that grabs you from the very beginning and never lets up * If These Books Could Talk *Miller is a talented storyteller and one you start reading you are hooked * Annarella *The book is gloriously readable from its opening sentence . . . I loved it. I just loved it * Blue Book Balloon *A highly engaging near future novel that is very enjoyable to read but will also have youthinking * Science Fiction Book Club *An immersive and absorbing read * Bookphace *As daring in execution as imagination, this adventure tale crackles with heart, charm and dark honesty * Shelf Awareness on THE GIRL IN GREEN *A page-turner that is both funny and sad, intelligent and full of hope. This is a must read from a writer of extreme talent and compassion * Jon Page, Pages & Pages Booksellers (Australia) on NORWEGIAN BY NIGHT *A lot of thought-provoking ideas but also this is wildly entertaining with lots of relationship drama and a good dose of edge-of-the-seat action * Liz Loves Books *What astonishes and impresses me about Miller's books is how witty and entertaining they are in moments, and yet deeply resonant and meaningful as well. Whether tackling issues of war or race, Derek Miller goes to the heart of matters affecting how we as a civilisation live * Sheryl Cotleur, Copperfield's Books on AMERICAN BY DAY *It's an adventure written in cinemascope! * Evening Standard *Comparable with Hugh Howey's Wool, Radio Life is a deeply thought-provoking novel about redemption and history. A book I can't recommend highly enough. * GeekDad *Miller creates a fascinating yet credible setting, fills it with realistic characters and sets them on an unpredictable path. There's action and excitement, politics, philosophy and wisdom, a bit of nostalgia and ample laugh-out-loud moments to occasionally relieve the tension. Interesting, thought-provoking and often funny, this one is likely to appeal to fans of the genre * MARIANNE VINCENT, GoodReads Librarian *Offers an escape into an interesting and well-described world, and raises some interesting questions about the role of knowledge and mass communication for good and evil in our society, about whether censorship is ever a good idea, and how to choose what information needs to be preserved * STORGY *Ultimately and refreshingly, this is an optimistic book... It is excellent, well-written SF read that will appeal to many * Birmingham Science Fiction Group *A touching and gripping novel of a future full of possibilities * SFCROWSNEST *

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Book Synopsis'THIS FOLLOW-UP IS AS ENTHRALLING AS ITS PREDECESSOR' Sunday Times'BRILLIANTLY IMAGINED AND THOROUGHLY CHILLING' Observer'BEGINS WITH A BANG AND DOESN'T LET UP' Clare ChambersThrilling dystopian fiction from the acclaimed author of Widowland. Perfect for fans of Margaret Atwood.It is 1955 and Britain is still a Protectorate of Germany. The assassination of the Leader on British soil provoked violent retribution towards British citizens, particularly women. Rose Ransom is amazed even to be alive, her role in the assassination miraculously overlooked. The widowed Queen Wallis reigns, yet some citizens hope that Elizabeth may one day return.President Eisenhower is to visit Britain and Rose is tasked with briefing Queen Wallis. She finds the queen in a state of paranoia, desperate to return to America. But Wallis, a poker addict, has a trump card - a document so explosive that it will blow the Protectorate apart, should she dare to reveal it.'FULL OF TWISTS' Red'A GRIPPING THRILLER' Bel Mooney'THRILLING, SUBVERSIVE' Jane Harris'A TRIUMPH' Amanda CraigTrade ReviewIt begins with a bang and doesn't let up. There were so many telling references to the current political climate it was frightening. C.J. Carey has created a detailed and convincing alternative universe and a gutsy heroine you really care about * Clare Chambers *Brilliantly imagined and thoroughly chilling, this is a counterfactual tour de force * Guardian *This is a chilling , compelling read, full of twists and ''what if?'' moments * Red *Exciting and provocative dystopian fiction * Observer *A triumph! So often, sequels disappoint, but Queen High is not just as compelling, sinister, satirical and original as Widowland, it's actually better in that it shows us how we might find a way out of tyranny and barbarism * Amanda Craig *Oh, be careful, people! Brilliant C.J. Carey hasn't just written a gripping thriller but holds a satirical mirror up to modern life. And at the heart of Queen High is a serious, passionate belief in the power of women and of books to effect change * Bel Mooney *Carey has built on the world of Widowland just brilliantly. The parallels with contemporary events (how character and history effect attitudes to "rules"; the sense of a political order making it up as it goes along; the role of women) are just ingenious. Wallace too, what a character! I hope it flies off the shelves - it deserves to' * Sabine Durrant *Another triumph from C.J. Carey in this follow-up to the brilliant Widowland. Thrilling, subversive, page-turning, deeply feminist, and beautifully written * Jane Harris *This follow-up is as enthralling as its predecessor * The Sunday Times *Rose's double life unravels as Carey coldly and cleverly controls the release of who knows what, reflecting the ruthless surveillance techniques of a totalitarian regime where no one trusts anyone * Daily Mail *A brilliant, vividly imagined spine-chilling dystopian thriller * Irish Independent *Words continue to have power both on and off the page as Carey expands her alternate history to good effect * Sci Fi Bulletin *Fascinating novel of alternative history and a suspenseful story * SHOTS Magazine *History as it might have been, wonderfully-sketched characters, crime and conspiracies: a perfect thriller and I can't wait for the next volume' * Crime Time *Irresistible mix of fact, fiction and feminism * Lancashire Evening Post *

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Book SynopsisA hugely compelling, dark, offbeat adventure from the bestselling author of ROTHERWEIRD.'A deeply strange but also deeply compelling world' Blue Book BalloonThe world has become a dangerous place: the atmosphere has turned toxic, destroying almost all life, and most of humanity too. Survivors live in domes protected by chitin shields, serving one or other of the last two great companies. A long period of uneasy collaboration between Tempestas and Genrich is about to end, and they have very different visions for mankind's future. Far from these centres of power stands the Museum Dome, home to mankind's finest paintings and artefacts and their curator, a young man, Fogg, who has laboured for three years without a single visitor.Then a single mysterious pill - a momenticon - appears in the Museum and triggers a series of bewildering events, embroiling Fogg and his unexpected new companions in a desperate fight against the dark forces which threaten to overwhelm all that remains.And time is running out.'Compelling and enrapturing . . . captures the reader from the first page to the last. A five-star read' Grimdark Magazine'One of the UK's most intriguing imaginations. Momenticon is whimsical science fiction at its finest' Geek Dad Trade ReviewA history-tragic-comedy all rolled into one, Rotherweird is intricate and crisp, witty and solemn: a book not unlike other books, but with special and dangerous properties. Line by line, silent and adroit, it opens a series of trap-doors in the reader's imagination * HILARY MANTEL, two-time Man Booker prize winner, on ROTHERWEIRD *One of the UK's most intriguing imaginations. His novels remind me very much of Neal Stephenson and this book put me in mind of Josiah Bancroft's Selin Ascends. These comparisons I make as an absolute compliment. Momenticon is whimsical science fiction at its finest: a satisfying jigsaw where the bigger picture doesn't become visible until the final piece is slotted into place * GEEK DAD on MOMENTICON *Sheer post-apocalyptic weirdness . . . Momenticon is wild but fun * PILE BY THE BED on MOMENTICON *It feels non-stop: constantly splitting the protagonists up and bringing them together again, delivering a series of growing climaxes and then leaving readers hanging for a concluding second volume * PILE BY THE BED on MOMENTCION *One of the most unique books I've read . . . compelling and enrapturing story that captures the reader from the first page to the last. Caldecott managed to craft something that is utterly his own . . . a five-star read * GRIMDARK MAGAZINE on MOMENTICON *A book that is unlike anything else you have read * SF BOOK REVIEWS on MOMENTICON *Momenticon is a strange dreamlike tale that was just wonderful * MUSEBOOKS on MOMENTICON *Caldecott's prose is very readable, and his world very inventive * SFX MAGAZINE on MOMENTICON *A gripping and enthralling trip into a phantasmagorical world * ANNA RELLIX on MOMENTICON *Lean into the weirdness and you're bound to find something you love! Caldecott is in a league of his own. His style is distinct, his voice unmistakable * SHARON CHOE, Read Between the Lines, on MOMENTICON *Momenticon packs an enormous lot in, keeping its protagonists (and the reader) on their toes . . . and taking both into a deeply strange but also deeply compelling world * BLUE BOOK BALLOON on MOMENTICON *Ingenious . . . an enjoyable romp * SFCROWSNEST on MOMENTICON *Has the arbitrary and rather hallucinogenic atmosphere of the Alice in Wonderland books * BRITISH SCIENCE FICTION ASSOCIATION on MOMENTICON *Baroque, Byzantine and beautiful - not to mention bold. An enthralling puzzle picture of a book * M.R. CAREY, author of the bestselling The Girl With All The Gifts, on ROTHERWEIRD *Compelling * THE GUARDIAN on ROTHERWEIRD *Magnificent * MIDNIGHT BLUE on WYNTERTYDE *Darkly hypnotic * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH on WYNTERTYDE *A rip-roaring adventure through a brilliantly weird and wonderful dystopian landscape. I can't imagine what'll happen in the next book but I can't wait to find out! * NETGALLEY REVIEWER *Weird, mad and utterly bloody brilliant. Caldicott's latest offering to offbeat fantasy is not to be missed. Featuring his trademarked style, absurdist humour and a cast of larger-than-life characters, this was a joy to read * NETGALLEY REVIEWER *I thoroughly enjoyed the journey in to Caldecott's world. I read this book in 3 days, no mean feat as it is detailed but totally absorbing . . . It is simply brilliant. Congratulations to the author * NETGALLEY REVIEWER *Momenticon is wild but fun and works within its own crazy frame of reference. The trick is to accept the fantastical premise . . . it feels non-stop, splitting the protagonists up and bringing them together again, delivering a series of growing climaxes and then leaving readers hanging for an anticipated concluding second volume * NETGALLEY REVIEWER *Caldecott is marvellously imaginative in his intricate dystopian world-building . . . This is a wonderfully entertaining, compelling and immersive fantasy read, with plenty of suspense and tension, in which Caldecott successfully creates an equally engaging and original a world as Rotherweird. Highly recommended * NETGALLEY REVIEWER *Momenticon was one of the books I was most looking forward to reading this year, and it has not disappointed even those high expectations . . . Anyone who enjoys fantasy adventure books will love these . . . The end leaves things up in the air, ready for a sequel - I'm already desperate to get my hands on it! * NETGALLEY REVIEWER *After the brilliant Rotherweird trilogy, it would likely take something extraordinary to reach the same heights or even surpass it. Thankfully with Momenticon, the author has turned out an exceptionally spellbinding novel that transcends the norm and enters the realms of the sublime * NETGALLEY REVIEWER *Momenticon is the first in a wonderful new series by Andrew Caldecott. What a mind this man must have! I experienced this book as a warning about what will happen when climate change finally goes up a few gears * NETGALLEY REVIEWER *This book was strange and I adored it. When I saw Alice in Wonderland meets Station Eleven I knew I had to read it and I was not disappointed. This was a wild ride of a read . . . When I finished I just sat staring and thinking it is definitely one of those books. Well written with a great atmosphere and compelling storyline and well-developed characters. I couldn't put it down . . . A great read * NETGALLEY REVIEWER *Caldecott successfully creates an equally engaging and original a world as Rotherweird. Highly recommended. * GOODREADS REVIEWER *Momenticon is a perplexing and brilliant story full of literary and artistic rabbit holes and quirky characters. It ends on a cliffhanger and I want to continue this journey for sure. * GOODREADS REVIEWER *I'm not sure there are enough words that can accurately describe this weird, brilliant, funny and adventurous read. * GOODREADS REVIEWER *A rip-roaring adventure through a brilliantly weird and wonderful dystopian landscape. I can't imagine what'll happen in the next book but I can't wait to find out! * GOODREADS REVIEWER *

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Book SynopsisEndgame. Collects DAYS OF HATE #7-12.

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Book SynopsisBrian K. Vaughan and Cliff Chiang’s Eisner Award winning series Paper Girls is coming Amazon Prime Video in July 2022!From Brian K. Vaughan, New York Times bestselling writer of SAGA, and Cliff Chiang, legendary artist of WONDER WOMAN, this gorgeous, oversized DELUXE HARDCOVER collects two complete time-traveling adventures, one that sends our four newspaper delivery girls from 1988 to the prehistoric past, and another to their own terrifying future.Collects PAPER GIRLS #11-20, along with EXCLUSIVE BONUS MATERIAL and an ALL-NEW WRAPAROUND COVER!

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Book SynopsisFrom JONATHAN LUNA (ALEX + ADA, GIRLS, THE SWORD) and LAUREN KEELY in her writing debut comes a sci-fi thriller set in a not-so-distant future-a world of norms and syms, divided by fear. Syms, a small percentage of the population with telekinetic abilities, form gangs to survive. But division only breeds more division, and as their relationship grows amid the often dramatic, sometimes violent, and always complex social landscape of sym gang rivalries, Mer and Nuon experience this firsthand.Collects 20XX #1-6

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Book SynopsisTony Chu is a cibopath, able to get psychic impressions from what he eats. Saffron Chu is a cibopars, able to learn secrets from who she eats with. Tony is a cop. Saffron is a criminal. They are brother and sister, and they are on a collusion course. Spinning out of the Eisner awarding winning and New York Times best-selling series CHEW comes CHU, a felonious new food-noir about cops, crooks, cooks, & clairvoyants.

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Book SynopsisTwo mega-corporations wage an eternal tug-of-war for the ruins of our future solar system. Pulpy sci-fi adventure, escalating unintended consequences, wry satire and pure goofery combine in seven potent chapters of comics entertainment to make GRIP OF THE KOMBINAT!An unholy lovechild of Verhoeven and Asimov. A graphic novel from the deranged minds of comic wündérkìñdêr SIMON ROY (Prophet, Habitat, First Knife) and DAMON GENTRY (Sabertooth Swordsman, Vinegar Teeth).

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Book SynopsisSidewise Award Winner for Best Long Form. Against the backdrop of a never-colonized North America, a broken Ojibwe detective embarks on an emotional and twisting journey toward solving two murders, rediscovering family, and finding himself. North America was never colonized. The United States and Canada don’t exist. The Great Lakes are surrounded by an independent Ojibwe nation. And in the village of Baawitigong, a Peacekeeper confronts his devastating past. Twenty years ago to the day, Chibenashi’s mother was murdered and his father confessed. Ever since, caring for his still-traumatized younger sister has been Chibenashi’s privilege and penance. Now, on the same night of the Manoomin harvest, another woman is slain. His mother’s best friend. This leads to a seemingly impossible connection that takes Chibenashi far from the only world he’s ever known. The major city of Shikaakwa is home to the victim’s cruelly estranged family—and to two people Chibenashi never wanted to see again: his imprisoned father and the lover who broke his heart. As the questions mount, the answers will change his and his sister’s lives forever. Because Chibenashi is about to discover that everything about their lives has been a lie. A Michigan Notable Books selection.Trade Review“An excellent example of an imagined alternative North America where restorative justice is at the forefront, and with characters who are well-developed, this is a great debut from an author to watch.” —Shondaland

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Book SynopsisIn the follow-up to the visionary Hospital, Yang Wei discovers that there’s more to the mysterious hospital than meets the eye—and none of it is as it seems. Yang Wei wakes to find himself still a patient at the hospital. Somehow, he’s aged decades overnight and is confined to the geriatric ward on a massive Hospital ship as it floats along a bloodred sea full of unsightly things. But human remains and sea nymphs are perhaps nothing compared to the goings-on belowdecks. The doctors are nowhere to be found, replaced by a procession of medical robots from whom, of course, no information can be gleaned. So Yang Wei, along with a small group of patients—all just as aged as he is—venture out to explore the uncharted depths of the ship and the answers that are surely hidden within. As they delve deeper into both the ship and why they’re on it, every uncovered secret comes with its own questions. The only thing Yang Wei can be sure of is that the more he learns, the less he understands…and the less he truly wants to know.Trade Review“The bizarre twists and disturbing wrongness are compelling and reminiscent of other postmodern classics.” —Booklist

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Book SynopsisIncarcerated for his subversive connection to the old, living world, a prisoner makes the most of his isolation in this captivating allegorical tale about tyranny, conviction, and the enduring power of imagination. Upon setting out for a morning walk with his knobby stick in hand, a young man is arrested by a robot called the Plotinus and abandoned in a cell where one beam of sunlight beckons through an air duct. Rapping his knuckles against the vent to relay his tale of woe in code, he recalls his lost love and their group’s forbidden activities; his readings in philosophy and the sciences; and sweet memories of freedom’s small pleasures. As the captive confronts his increasingly dire circumstances with rigorous optimism, the appearance of fantastical visitors and miraculous objects in his cell further blurs the line between hallucination and dystopian reality. Told with uncanny warmth and intellectual brio, The Plotinus is Rikki Ducornet’s most unforgettable story yet.Trade ReviewPraise for The Plotinus “Dashingly absurd. . . . Ducornet’s latest is replete with figures that represent mankind in all its vainglorious hubris to great comedic effect while echoing the familiar sorrow of humanity’s severance from, and ultimate destruction of, the natural world that gives us both our meaning and our memories. It is a surreal novel that, nonetheless, feels disconcertingly real. . . . An inscrutable wonder of a book that rewards a reader’s attention with its own returned gaze.” —Kirkus, starred review“When all the beauty left in a denuded world is concentrated in the delicate body of a visiting hornet, what else is there for a narrator (or for us) to do but love her. So The Plotinus shows us. This book is elegant, hilarious, ominous, and transcendent.” —Rae Armantrout“So new, so strange. . . . It enthralled me.” —Forrest GanderPraise for Trafik: “In a future where all that's left of Earth are the records of random trivia, a human-ish astronaut and her robot companion decide to abandon their mission. . . . On this journey, the two will confront the biggest questions about existence, identity, and experience: What makes a human? Where does consciousness reside? It could all become very serious, if Ducornet weren't so skilled in absurdity.” —Arianna Rebolini, Buzzfeed “Illustrative of the dream logic of surrealist novels, Nadja, Hopscotch, or Leonora Carrington’s Hearing Trumpet. All in all, the result is essential Ducornet, obscure and extravagant. This space operetta shouts like Ubu Roi. Ducornet delivers a fascinating addition to her incredible practice. A Jupiter fuse against the void.” —Joseph Houlihan, Chicago Review of Books “A winsome space picaresque in which surreality piles upon surreality. . . . A longtime master of the extraordinary sentence, Ducornet has outdone herself here, blending SF’s penchant for invented jargon with her own queer linguistic egalitarianism. . . . in a primordial soup of possibility. This slender book captivates with its ferocious curiosity, quick wit, and ultimately tender generosity. Carried along by the bumptious rollick of its language, this tale is full of sound and fury, signifying literally everything.”—Kirkus, starred review "Ducornet dazzles with this whirlwind jaunt through a far-future universe, told in jargon-studded prose that turns gonzo science into gleeful lyricism. . . . Ducornet remains a fantastic stylist." —Publishers Weekly “I loved this mind-bending little trek across the universe. Thoroughly delightful, poignant, funny, and sweet, like if Italo Calvino wrote The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy in a series of pointed vignettes, it’s the perfect amount of quarantine-relatable loneliness and existential spiraling, combined with escapism and optimism. It’s like watching a dream come true." —Rachel S., Harvard Bookstore for Buzzfeed “A highly literate science fiction quest narrative, a 21st-century version of Calvino's Cosmicomics. . . . Trafik is a compact singularity that explodes in a Big Bang of creativity. —James Crossley, Madison Books “A perfectly strange and surreal book, dreamlike and fun.” —Sarah Cassavant, Subtext Books “Surrealism meets space opera in Trafik, Rikki Ducornet’s startlingly original look at a post-human and non-human pairing wandering through space while obsessed with the scattered fragments of a world they never knew. At once funny and absurd, Trafik peers at our own time through the lens of the future to reveal what we should regret losing and what would be better gone.” —Brian Evenson Praise for Brightfellow: “Ms. Ducornet’s novel about a man who ‘cannot fathom the bottomless secret of his own existence’ casts a lingering spell.” —The New York Times “In tracing the shape of what is left behind, Ducornet lends dignity to the universal plight of vanished illusions.” —Los Angeles Times “Bursting with vivid imagery, beautiful language, heartbreaking characters. . . . Ducornet’s tale is unique and captivating.” —Booklist “A portrait of a surreal community that defies easy categorization. . . . An endless delight at the sentence level.” —Kirkus “Ducornet has written the oddest of varsity novels, one that anchors its charming caprice, philosophical fancy, and thriller-like pace to the psychological horror that lurks just beyond childhood innocence.” —Publishers Weekly Selected praise for Rikki Ducornet: “Ducornet is a novelist of ambition and scope.” —The New York Times “Linguistically explosive. . . . One of the most interesting American writers around.” —The Nation “Pick up a book by the award-winning Ducornet, and you know it will be startling, elegant, and perfectly formed.” —Library Journal “Ducornet is a writer of extraordinary power, in whose books ‘rigor and imagination’ (her watchwords) perform with the grace and daring of high-wire acrobats.” —BOMB “Ducornet’s is a world of surfaces so rich and textured that notions of meaning and interpretation are subsumed under a lush and seductive prose that eventually inhabits readers’ minds.” —The Millions “Ducornet is a mad maestro of words.” —Seattle Weekly “Rikki Ducornet is a magic sensualist, a writer’s writer, a master of language, a unique voice.” —Amy Tan

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Book SynopsisThe Eusistocratic Republic of Finland has bred a new human sub-species of receptive, submissive women, called eloi, for sex and procreation, while intelligent, independent women are relegated to menial labour and sterilized. Vanna, raised as an eloi but secretly intelligent, needs money to help her doll-like sister, Manna.Vanna forms a friendship with a man named Jare, and they become involved in buying and selling a stimulant known to the Health Authority to be extremely dangerous: chilli peppers. Then Manna disappears, and Jare comes across a strange religious cult in possession of the Core of the Sun, a chilli so hot that it is rumoured to cause hallucinations. Does this chilli have effects that justify its prohibition? How did Finland turn into the North Korea of Europe? And will Vanna succeed in her quest to find her sister, or will her growing need to satisfy her chilli addiction destroy her? Johanna Sinisalo's tautly told story of fight and flight is also a feisty, between-the-lines social polemic - a witty, inventive, and fiendishly engaging read from the queen of 'Finnish Weird'.Trade ReviewThe Core of the Sun has been compared to Atwood and Vonnegut, but Sinisalo's disturbing and often whimsical vision is uniquely her own. * Guardian *Margaret Atwood and Aldous Huxley get down with Carlos Castaneda in The Core of The Sun, an adventurous and original dystopian satire which isn't likely to be forgotten in a hurry... It's dark, biting, unlike anything you'll read this year and, ultimately, a triumph. * The Herald *Meticulously imagined . . . the novel creates an impressively detailed and extremely frightening world. Written with wit and grace . . . Maintains an impressive grasp on plot and suspense, easily luring the reader into taking its characters, politics, and striking story to heart. * Kirkus Reviews *[Sinisalo] ups the ante with well-paced and eerily fitting facts about the history of science, clever literary narrative, and complex characterization. This tale will appeal to dystopia lovers and fans of darkly offbeat suspense. * Booklist *A chilling tale reminiscent of Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale... a fascinating story centered on gender politics. * Washington Post *As a mirror held slantwise to patriarchal violence, it is often convincing, and rarely without also being clever and comical. Likewise, as a repudiation of the egalitarian gloriousness of the 'Nordic model,' it's a thing we rarely behold in America: a feminist novel that propels you forward to its terrifying, pulpy conclusion. * Flavorwire *There's a streak of scathing satire to the book's fragmentary science fiction, and in that sense it sits somewhere between Margaret Atwood and Kurt Vonnegut - but Sinisalo crafts a funny, unsettling, emotionally charged apparition of the present that's all her own. * NPR *An intoxicating book, sizzling to look at and as spicy as a hot pepper. * Weltexpress (Germany) *

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Book SynopsisIt’s been a year and a half since the Anomaly, when They tried to force Their way into the world from the shapeless void.Nick Prasad is piecing his life together, and has joined the secretive Ssarati Society to help monitor threats to humanity – including his former friend Johnny.Right on cue, the unveiling of Johnny’s latest experiment sees a fresh incursion of Them, leaving her protesting her innocence even as the two of them are thrown together to fight the darkness once more…Trade Review"With a strong sense of adventure and an engaging prose style, A Broken Darkness is a worthy, enjoyable entry to the sprawling genre of cosmic fiction." * Aurealis *

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Book SynopsisAngie Redlantern is the first to spot the boats - five abreast with men in metal masks and spears standing proud, ready for the fight to come. As the people of New Earth declare war on the people of Mainground, a dangerous era has dawned for Eden. After generations of division and disagreement, the two populations of Eden have finally broken their tentative peace, giving way to bloodshed and slaughter. Angie must flee with her family across the pitch black of Snowy Dark to the place where it all started, the stone circle where the people from Earth first landed, where the story of Gela - the mother of them all - began. It is there that Angie witnesses the most extraordinary event, one that will change the history of Eden forever. It will alter their future and re-shape their past. It is both a beginning and an ending. It is the true story of Eden.Trade ReviewThe Eden trilogy is a remarkable achievement: with wit, insight and invention Beckett has imagined a scientific Genesis not just about a society, but about the culture and myths that sustain it. It is both politically astute and theologically compelling. -- Stuart Kelly * Guardian *Every bit as compelling as Dark Eden was... Eden is building into one of most vivid and fascinating places in modern SF. -- Eddie Robson * SFX on MOTHER OF EDEN *A captivating and haunting book. * Daily Mail on DARK EDEN *Mother of Eden is a masterpiece. * Guardian on MOTHER OF EDEN *A classic theme, beautifully told. * Sunday Telegraph on DARK EDEN *There's no justice if Dark Eden, with its beautiful, terrifying planet, slowly revealed, fails to bring Beckett awards. * The Sunday Times on DARK EDEN *One of the most accomplished and interesting science-fiction trilogies in recent years. * Guardian *A compelling finale to an award-winning saga * Guardian *A remarkable achievement [full of] wit, insight and invention * Guardian *Striking... Beckett's skillful worldbuilding and thoughtful characterization bring Eden to life, creating a stark microcosm of humankind's worst and best aspects. * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisFollowing the great success of the early Gothic Fantasy, deluxe edition short story compilations, Ghosts, Horror and Science Fiction, this exciting title in the series is packed with swashbuckling and steam-punking up to your eyeballs. Adventures and alt-historical tales from classic authors are cast with previously unpublished stories by exciting budding contemporary writers. New, contemporary and notable writers featured are: Andrew Bourelle, Beth Cato, Amanda C. Davis, Daniel J. Davis, Jennifer Dornan-Fish, Spencer Ellsworth, David Jón Fuller, Kelly A. Harmon, Liam Hogan, B.C. Matthews, Angus McIntyre, Dan Micklethwaite, Victoria Sandbrook, Zach Shephard, Amy Sisson, and Brian Trent. These appear alongside classic stories by authors such as John Buchan, L. Maria Child, George Griffith, Robert E. Howard, Edward Page Mitchell and Jules Verne.

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Book SynopsisFollowing the great success of the very first Gothic Fantasy, deluxe edition short story compilations, Ghosts, Horror and Science Fiction, this exciting title in the series is packed with bleak and paradisiacal visions in equal measure. Adventures in worlds of boundless imagination from classic authors are cast with previously unpublished stories by exciting budding contemporary writers. New and notable writers featured are: Kim Antieau, Steve Carr, Carolyn Charron, Megan Dorei, Sarah Lyn Eaton, Michelle Kaseler, Claude Lalumière, Gerri Leen, Konstantine Paradias, Jeff Parsons, Kelsey Shannahan, Nidhi Singh, Jeremy Szal, J.M. Templet, Russ Thorne, M. Darusha Wehm, and Andrew J. Wilson. These appear alongside classic stories by authors such as Edward Bellamy, Samuel Butler, Robert W. Chambers, Jack London and Mary Shelley. Flame Tree Gothic Fantasy, Classic Stories and Epic Tales collections bring together the entire range of myth, folklore and modern short fiction. Highlighting the roots of suspense, supernatural, science fiction and mystery stories, the books in Flame Tree Collections series are beautifully presented, perfect as a gift and offer a lifetime of reading pleasure.

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE AUTHOR'S CLUB FIRST NOVEL AWARD, THE RSL CHRISTOPHER BLAND PRIZE and THE HWA DEBUT CROWN AWARD'A new classic' SARA COLLINS, author of THE CONFESSIONS OF FRANNIE LANGTON'Impassioned. Lyrical and affecting' GUARDIAN_____________Brixton 1981. Sixteen-year-old Michael is already on the wrong side of the law. In in his community, where job opportunities are low and drug-running is high, this is nothing new. But when Michael falls for Ngozi, a vibrant young immigrant from the Nigerian village of Obowi, their startling connection runs far deeper than they realise.Narrated by the spirit of an African woman who lost her life on a slave ship two centuries earlier, her powerful story reveals how Michael and Ngozi's struggle for happiness began many lifetimes ago.Through haunting, lyrical words, one unforgettable message resonates: love, hope and unity will heal us all._____________'A searing, rhapsodic novel. Filled with beauty, devastation and the power of ancestral connections that ripple through the ages' IRENOSEN OKOJIE, author of NUDIBRANCH'A gorgeous book' ALEX WHEATLE, author of BRIXTON ROCK_____________Readers love THE BOOK OF ECHOES:'A powerful and honest debut which is going to stay with me for a long time' *****'You can feel Amaka's passion rising off the page' *****'BRILLIANT, thoughtful and masterfully crafted' *****'Oh my goodness, the book itself is even more beautiful and haunting than the cover' *****Trade ReviewBEST NEW FICTION: A beautifully written testament to oppression that reverberates across the centuries. * DAILY MAIL *Searing and rhapsodic. Filled with beauty, devastation and the power of ancestral connections that ripple through the ages * IRENOSEN OKOJIE *Bewitching. I almost felt like I time-travelled back into Brixton 1981. A gorgeous book - totally recommended. * ALEX WHEATLE, author of BRIXTON ROCK *An absorbing debut * SUNDAY EXPRESS *Impassioned. Lyrical and affecting * GUARDIAN *Powerfully redemptive * INDEPENDENT *Fierce and poignant * TATLER *BEST BOOKS for FEBRUARY * COSMOPOLITAN MAGAZINE *Powerful, impassioned, thought-provoking * DAILY MAIL Staycation Sensations *A beautiful rich story that shows how hope can get people through the worst of times * PRIDE MAGAZINE *A breath-taking read. Both intimate and sweeping * LOUISE HARE, author of THIS LOVELY CITY *Bewitching. I almost felt i'd time-travelled back to Brixton in the 1980s. Highly recommended * ALEX WHEATLE, author of BRIXTON ROCK *

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Book SynopsisA DEADLY VIRUS. QUARANTINE. A WORLD IN LOCKDOWN. THE THRILLER THAT PREDICTED IT ALL. THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER'Flies thrillingly, eerily close to reality' Guardian'This page-turner... is riveting and spookily anticipates much that has unfolded in reality' Sunday TimesA race-against-time thriller, as one man must find the origin and cure for a new killer virus that has brought the world to its knees.At an internment camp in Indonesia, forty-seven people are pronounced dead with a mysterious fever. When Dr Henry Parsons - microbiologist and epidemiologist - travels there on behalf of the World Health Organization to investigate, what he finds will soon have staggering repercussions across the globe.As international tensions rise and governments enforce unprecedented measures, Henry finds himself in a race against time to track the source and find a cure - before it's too late . . .***WHAT READERS ARE SAYING:'If you have a desire to really understand what is going on in the world right now, this is a novel that you cannot afford to miss!''Well-written and fast-paced. Most of all utterly, scarily, believable.'Trade ReviewAn eerily prescient novel about a devastating virus that begins in Asia before going global . . . A page-turner that has the earmarks of an instant bestseller. * New York Post *Eerily prescient. Too bad our leaders lack his foresight. * The New York Times *Featuring accounts of past plagues and pandemics, descriptions of pathogens and how they work, and dark notes about global warming, the book produces deep shudders . . . A disturbing, eerily timed novel. * Kirkus Reviews *A compelling read up to the last sentence. Wright has come up with a story worthy of Michael Crichton. In an eerily calm, matter-of-fact way, and backed by meticulous research, he imagines what the world would actually be like in the grip of a devastating new virus. * Richard Preston, author of THE HOT ZONE *This timely literary page-turner shows Wright is on a par with the best writers in the genre. * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisShortlisted for the Collyer Bristow Prizes 2019Shortlisted for The Betty Trask Prize and AwardsLonglisted for The Desmond Elliott Prize 2019John is infinite. He can become any book, any combination of words – every thought, act and expression that has ever been, or ever will be, written. Now 800 years old, John wants to tell his story. Looking back over his life, from its beginnings with a medieval anchoress to his current lodgings beside the deathbed of a Cold War spy, John pieces together his tale: the love that held him together and, in particular, the reasons for a murder that took place in Moscow fifty years earlier, which set in train a shattering series of events.Samuel Fisher’s debut, The Chameleon is a love story about books like no other, weaving texts and lives in a family tale that leads the reader on an extraordinary historical journey, a journey of words as much as of places, and a gripping romance.Trade ReviewThe Chameleon could be considered something of a love story, both about books, and between the people that read them. It follows the story of a family through the years, the memories that shaped them, and the impact of past events on their relationship through the years. In the early stages of the novel we meet a man who is approaching the final days of his life, but in this novel a man’s mortality is portrayed from the perspective of someone infinite, someone who has lived for centuries. * The Owl on the Bookshelf *A fantastic new talent (recommended by Eley Williams!) … [a] mesmerising debut novel (and it really is brilliant). * The Book Hive *Over the weekend I read and hugely enjoyed The Chameleon by Samuel Fisher. It is a novel narrated by an 800-year-old shapeshifting book. It can turn into any book it wants to. It tells the story of the people who have owned it down the years. -- Scott PackAs well as being a new novelist, Fisher is also a founder of Peninsula Press, a small independent publisher whose list to date shows a predilection for innovative and experimental voices. It’s a partiality replicated in this wonderful, funny and audacious debut. Who knows what my copy of The Chameleon will turn into while my back is turned but I look forward to discovering whatever voice or artefact Samuel Fisher will throw himself into next. -- John Boyne * The Irish Times *You might expect a debut by a bookseller to be a hymn to the joy of books, but writing from the actual viewpoint of a book (here the narrator, who can transform himself into any combination of words, places himself at the centre of various events over the past 800 years) takes that love to a whole new level. Fisher has so much fun with this tricksy conceit that the very human story he settles on (amid nods to Virginia Woolf, Jorge Luis Borges and Dylan Thomas), of a cold war spy looking back on a life, takes time to hit home. That it eventually does is testament to his infectious enthusiasm for the power of the novel. -- Ben East * The Observer *Be it a love story, a thriller or a work of history, a written account makes those it depicts last forever. Revelling in its own wizardry, The Chameleon weaves a captivatingly reflexive tale around the life-giving possibilities of the printed word … Fisher practices a deft sampling technique, mixing in snippets of literary classics into his tale and reflecting on their relevance. The result is a compelling narrative and a subtle meditation on literary history. * Hackney Citizen *It seems only natural that if a bookseller was going to write a novel, it should be about books. Fortunately that's exactly what Wivenhoe’s Samuel Fisher has done although The Chameleon, which was released by cool indie publishers Salt this week, is a very different kind of book altogether. That’s because Samuel’s main character John can become any book, any combination of words, every though, act and expression that has ever been, or will ever be, written. -- Neil D’Arcy Jones * Colchester Gazette *This is undoubtedly a literary novel about a family and relationships, but also it’s about a love of books and it’s a spy story. It’s not surprising that the author set up a bookshop, you can almost imagine him spending time rooting through the stock and absorbing stories for this novel. -- Paul Burke * Nudge-Book Magazine *The concept of a self-aware book is the kind of literary conceit that, in the wrong hands, could lead to the worst excesses of post-modern fiction. The book does, after all, identify with Borges’ tale of the infinite library as though it’s “an autobiography written by a future version of myself”. Roger’s story, in turn, is essentially quite a slight vignette that would struggle to fill a novel on its own. But by marrying them together, Fisher balances and intermingles the two strands so that they sustain an engrossing, satisfying and quite touching novel. Greater love hath no book than that it would transform itself into a biography of its most cherished owner. -- Alastair Mabbott * The Herald *Writing a book as the Book is no small feat. One would expect it to be formally inventive, rich with the works of others yet boundlessly original – replete with unusual vocabulary and recourse to every image ever written. It is a credit to the author and to Salt Publishing that The Chameleon carries it off with aplomb. -- Venetia Welby * Review 31 *Fisher’s handling of tone, dialogue and prose that allows the story to be the star of the show. The narrative of Roger and Margery’s relationship, and the affect of the wars of the 20th century on multiple generations of their family is compelling and genuinely pulls at the emotions, while the depiction of 1950s Moscow and London creates an atmospheric noir backdrop. The book’s playfulness and wit allow the novel time to breathe and to entertain. Its stylistic peculiarities augment and bring depth to the plot, rather than usurping its role as the main event. -- Robert Greer * London Magazine *Like its namesake, this little book slithers and slips away from categorisation. Refusing to be pinned down, it is uniquely mischievous and marvellous. I’m quite sure Fisher could have made extremely good novels out of any one of its stories in The Chameleon. Instead, he chose to tell them all, and in doing so gave us a masterpiece. -- Elanor Dymott * Judge, The Betty Trask Prize *

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Book Synopsis‘So, where is he then, your dad?’ The world may be on a precipice but Sol, fresh from Tucson-desert rehab, finally has an answer to the question that has dogged her since childhood. And not a moment too soon. With aviation grinding to a halt in the face of global climate meltdown, this is the last chance to connect with her absentee father, a US marine stationed in Okinawa. To mend their broken past Sol and her lovelorn friend Kit must journey across poisoned oceans to the furthest reaches of the Japanese archipelago, a place where sea, sky and earth converge at the forefront of an encroaching environmental and geopolitical catastrophe; a place battered by the relentless tides of history, haunted by the ghosts of its past, where the real and the virtual, the dreamed and the lived, are ever harder to define.In Dreamtime Venetia Welby paints a terrifying and captivating vision of our near future and takes us on a vertiginous odyssey into the unknown.Trade ReviewFiction to look out for in 2021 A host of dazzling second novels in the offing … Venetia Welby’s exquisite and hallucinogenic Dreamtime is set in a near future in which we have lost the battle against climate change. -- Alex Preston * The Observer *Welby’s vision of our cobbled-together future—lives lost to the glamour of screens while civilisation corrodes—has an energy and charm of its own. Her descriptions of an earthquake-cracked Tokyo carry the noodley whiff and steamy press of Blade Runner’s neon-washed landscapes. And the hopelessly hybridised culture of Okinawa, where the stars and stripes jostles with local animist shrines, pulses with colour. It even left me with a hankering for “taco rice”, a dish as bastardised as its Tex Mex via Tokyo roots. -- Alex Diggins * Exacting Clam *Venetia Welby’s arresting blend of chaos, love, mystery, myths and the supernatural, animals both real and shapeshifting, and the consequences of abuse in the private and public spheres, illustrate how human relationships are complicated and tricky. The world conjured by Welby is weird and elusive, as is the relationship of humans with Nature. Her beautifully stylized writing has a lyrical strange quality to it. The future is envisioned as being one of increased disempowerment. * BookBlast *Venetia Welby’s new novel, Dreamtime, is set in 2035, a time of rising sea levels and extreme weather events. It follows Sol as she completes a stint in rehab in Arizona, grappling with the trauma of her upbringing in a cult and searching for her absent father. -- Jemima Skala * Literary Review *Dreamtime is an often deeply disturbing, haunting and nightmarish read, and yet is complete and realistic in an organic way. Welby doesn’t pretend she has any answers. The novel is, in essence, a presentation of harrowing truths and the confusion they cause. It’s not the first book to wrangle such themes against the backdrop of environmental catastrophe, and it won’t be the last. But it is probably the best you’ll read this year. * High Rise and Ink *This remarkable, disturbing work of literary fiction is like Heart of Darkness meets The Tempest. Revisiting the Animal Groom fairytale, it is set in the not-too-distant future, when humans are clinging onto existence by their fingernails thanks to environmental devastation. The human and environmental costs of violent, dominating masculinity are inescapable. At the same time, true love between a man and a woman is capable of transcending the bleakness. * Wild Women Writing Club *This uniquely multi-layered, multi-genre storyline, is wonderfully textured, brutally and frighteningly intense, deep and rich in atmosphere, ever evolving and written by an author who has complete confidence in the visual imagery of her words to lift the narrative and dialogue from the pages and make it come sickeningly to life. * Fiction Books *Welby’s writing style is original and uncompromising – as she proved in her debut, Mother of Darkness. Dreamtime is a step up but not away from this ability to conjure empathy for those whose behaviour is rebarbative. The sense of place – and how out of place incomers can be with their self-entitled behaviour – adds strength to a captivating tale tinged with regret. Man’s destructive behaviour continues despite the clear warnings of where it will lead. This is a disturbing journey exploring many varieties of abuse – of people and place – and the ripples triggered. A story laced with shadows and beauty that reminds the reader how much we look away when to see becomes challenging. An arresting window into a future that is worryingly believable. -- Jackie Law * neverimitate *This book is such a unique experience, it takes you to a place where you have to hand yourself over to the narrative, and trust that you will, more or less, return. It has a narcotic effect as it transports you to a near future, and the final ceremony that Dreamtime are putting addict, Sol, through before she is considered ‘cured’ and is released to the world beyond the dome, to the arid ,dry deserts of Arizona. * Rachel Read It *What a scintillating surprise this incredible book is, the cover is indeed mesmerising and its detail definitely sets the tone for its enthralling contents. When I read the details for this novel, what attracted me to it, was my own fascination of how other people, Venetia in this case, envision the future! Trust me, Venetia’s fictitious concepts for what’s instore for the world; are deliciously horrifying and if you thought the Covid-19 pandemic has been trying…then what might come next, will blow your mind, mine is still reeling from the possibilities. * The Fallen Librarian *

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Book SynopsisLONGLISTED FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FOR FICTION 2019 A New York Times 2019 Notable Book2019 BOOK OF THE YEAR: Oprah Magazine, Time, Vulture, and Entertainment Weekly 'The Need is a profound meditation on the nature of reality, a fearless examination of parenthood, and also somehow a thriller. This is an extraordinary and dazzlingly original work from one of our most gifted and interesting writers' Emily St. John MandelShe crouched in front of the mirror in the dark, clinging to them. The baby in her right arm, the child in her left. There were footsteps in the other room...Molly is exhausted, anxious, losing her grip on reality. Her husband is away and she is running between her children and her job, where things are unravelling. She’s a paleobotanist, working at a fossil quarry, and has recently unearthed artefacts that defy understanding; the coke bottle with the lettering that leans the wrong way, an alternate version of the Bible. Where do these things come from?At home, as dusk falls, she gets jumpy. Are those footsteps out in the hall? What was that noise? She holds her two small children close to her, and tries to pull herself together. But her worlds of work and home are about to collide. She discovers that the stranger in her sitting room knows everything about her life and, as their identity becomes chillingly clear, this intruder makes a demand of Molly that upends everything, forcing her to reckon with her most unspeakable fears. The Need is a gripping, unsettling and stunningly original story that probes deep truths about motherhood, and explores grief, loss and how we treat others. It's a compulsive, reality-warping novel that makes us rethink our world, and question how far we would go to protect the ones we love.'The atmosphere is as close and taut as a thriller, but this is, in fact, both a highly original examination of grief and an extraordinarily vivid evocation of motherhood -- the moments of terror and hilarity, the visceral burden of it, and the fleeting, but almost transcendent, joy' Daily Mail'A chilling novel from a blazing talent' Observer Trade ReviewA chilling novel from a blazing talent...in addition to being a cerebral meditation on motherhood at its most elemental – fierce, beatific, sanity-thieving – it’s an adroitly executed thriller with a quasi-sci-fi twist. Mercilessly tense throughout, its opening chapter is a belter... A bracingly singular achievement, it’s surreal, blackly comic and ultimately generous. -- Hephzibah Anderson * Observer *[A] frenzied fever dream of a novel. Read it as a sci-fi thriller, or understand it instead as metaphorical; either way, it’s a page-turner… magnificent... This is a smart, sharp book that cuts to the heart of what it’s like to be a mother -- Lucy Scholes * Financial Times *Phillips can conjure pure nightmare in a single sentence… Thrillingly disturbing, frighteningly insightful about motherhood and love, and spilling over with offhand invention, The Need is one of this year’s most necessary novels. -- Sarah Ditum * Guardian *The atmosphere is as close and taut as a thriller, but this is, in fact, both a highly original examination of grief and an extraordinarily vivid evocation of motherhood -- the moments of terror and hilarity, the visceral burden of it, and the fleeting, but almost transcendent, joy -- Stephanie Cross * Daily Mail *Helen Phillips’s novel begins to reveal itself, veering away from what looks initially like conventional suspense into something more speculative and philosophical with nods to both sci-fi and horror...the what-ifs animate this novel, the narrative splitting and looping back on itself as it tries out parallel possibilities, various fantasies and nightmares... frightening and maddening and full of dark comedy.. Phillips, as careful with language as she is bold with structure, captures many small sharp truths * New York Times *The Need is a profound meditation on the nature of reality, a fearless examination of parenthood, and also somehow a thriller. This is an extraordinary and dazzlingly original work from one of our most gifted and interesting writers -- Emily St. John MandelPhillips writes exceptionally well of the insatiable demands two young children can make on a mother... yet this is also a horror story about the vulnerability of motherhood that doubles up as a love letter to the miracle existence of children. At the same time, Phillips consistently plays tricks with the reader's perspective...and with the possibility of parallel realities, rooted in a mother's worst possible fears, playing out at the level of science fiction... One of the most heart-stopping motherhood novels you'll read all year * Metro *So smart and brave about motherhood... Molly's struggle to remain her full self while giving so much away is electrifying... Mothers will recognize so much in this fresh novel -- but they aren't the only ones who should read it. Phillips has found a way to make these experiences universal -- Bethanne Patrick * Washington Post *An enthralling book. With its short chapters, unsettling prose and riveting suspense, it feels designed for binge-reading. But keep an eye on the clock. Immersion in this novel before bedtime is a recipefor sleeplessness. * Economist *It’s a classic opening: a woman hears an intruder in her home while her husband is away, grabs her two young kids and hides in terror. But the true power of Helen Phillips’ brilliantly paced thriller emerges when Molly, a paleobotanist, comes face to face with the only person in the world who can shake her identity as a mother—a person who brings her to question her very reality. Phillips taps into the overwhelming anxiety that comes with love in its deepest, truest form, a sense of fierce protectiveness one need not be a parent to understand -- Lucy Feldman * Time's Best Fiction Books 2019 *An exciting, enjoyably eccentric novel that more than delivers as both a reality-warping thriller and a searching meditation on motherhood * Mail on Sunday *The weirdness of everyday life is beautifully explored… The Need's true subject is motherhood, rendered here as a painful, visceral, almost impossibly tender undertaking. In contrast to this extreme normality, the supernatural elements tingle like bugs against the skin. In all, a grand achievement. The novel exists on that narrow borderlinewhere strangeness merges with the mundane, and Phillips is both an explorer, and a brilliant chronicler of this murky realm. * Spectator *Sinister, existential and written in blazing prose * i *I love Helen Phillips's wild, brilliant, eccentric brain -- Lauren GroffHelen Phillips is one of the most exciting young writers working today, and I envy those who get to discover her work here for the first time -- Jenny OffillThis book held me hostage, invaded my dreams and my waking thoughts, and readjusted my brain; Phillips is, as always, doing something at once wildly her own and utterly primal. Maybe it doesn't surprise me that the strangest book I've read about motherhood is also the best, but it does thrill me -- Rebecca Makkai, author of THE GREAT BELIEVERSHelen Phillips has created an existential page-turner that captures, with perfect sharpness, the fierce delirium of motherhood, the longing to understand the workings of our universe, and the wondrous and terrifying mystery that is time. The Need is a brain-bending heartbreaker of a novel, and definitive proof that Helen Phillips is one of the most spellbindingly original writers working today -- Laura Van Den Berg, author of THE THIRD HOTELThis is a book about the biggest things you can imagine--the dreadful potentiality of life, the fierceness of love, and the terrifying and exhilarating mystery of motherhood. Helen Phillips writes at the nexus of science fiction and psychological realism, conjuring a narrative so mind-bending and immersive that it'll change what you see as real. She is an author at the height of her power, and we are so lucky to be living in her moment -- Alexandra Kleeman, author of YOU TOO CAN HAVE A BODY LIKE MINEThe Need is a spellbinding novel, both unsettling and irresistible. The best fiction finds the uncanny within the familiar; it makes us feel the fantastical undercurrent of our embodied lives. With exquisite economy and evocative prose, Phillips manifests the surreal, terrifying, and visceral experience of motherhood -- Dana Spiotta, author of INNOCENTS AND OTHERSA superbly engaging read – quirky, perceptive, and gently provocative... Suspenseful and mysterious, insightful and tender, Phillips' new thriller cements her standing as a deservedly celebrated author with a singular sense of story and style * Kirkus, starred review *

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Book SynopsisVINTAGE CLASSICS' AMERICAN GOTHIC SERIESSpine-tingling, mind-altering and deliciously atmospheric, journey into the dark side of America with nine of its most uncanny classics.'Sleep Donation has a dreamlike beauty while remaining ominous and off-kilter. Parts of it gave me nightmares' Stephen KingAn epidemic of insomnia has left America crippled with exhaustion.Thankfully the Slumber Corps agency provides a lifeline, transfusing sleep to sufferers from healthy volunteers. Recruitment manager Trish Edgewater, whose sister Dori was one of the first victims of the disaster, has spent the last seven years enlisting new donors. But when she meets the mysterious Donor Y and Baby A - whose sleep can be universally accepted - her faith in the organisation and in her own motives begins to unravel.Fully illustrated and featuring a brand-new 'Nightmare Appendix', this uncanny and prescient novella from the bestselling author of Swamplandia! will haunt your sleepless nights.

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Book Synopsis*WINNER OF THE GOLDSMITHS PRIZE 2017**SHORTLISTED FOR THE GORDON BURN PRIZE 2018**LONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION 2018*A GUARDIAN BOOK OF THE YEARA TELEGRAPH BOOK OF THE YEARAN INDEPENDENT BOOK OF THE YEARFrom the internationally acclaimed, Man Booker-shortlisted Nicola Barker comes a new novel, a post-post apocalyptic story that overflows with pure creative talent.Imagine a perfect world where everything is known, where everything is open, where there can be no doubt, no hatred, no poverty, no greed. Imagine a System which both nurtures and protects. A Community which nourishes and sustains. An infinite world. A world without sickness, without death. A world without God. A world without fear.Could you...might you be happy there?H(A)PPY is a post-post apocalyptic Alice in Wonderland, a story which tells itself and then consumes itself. It's a place where language glows, where words buzz and sparkle and finally implode. It's a novel which twists and writhes with all the terrifying precision of a tiny fish in an Escher lithograph – a book where the mere telling of a story is the end of certainty.Trade ReviewNicola Barker’s H(A)PPY is a work of vaulting ambition. It is deathly serious but played out with the lightest of touches. She takes the vapid discourse of social media blather, with all its ‘likes’ and ‘favourites’, and extrapolates madly to make a language for an utterly believable future world, a world enslaved by the blandness of its technology. Line by line, the novel carefully builds its music and teases out its crazed riffs. It’s very funny but there are pockets of great eeriness, and of savagery even. It’s a novel-as-object, too, with a typography employed as visual code, but its design always has a narrative purpose. Only a writer of uncanny ability could bring this novel to such memorable, pulsing life. It’s very moving. -- Kevin BarryH(A)PPY is anything but conventional, subverting the traditions of sci-fi, typography and narrative … The coloured words are joined by a host of typographical flourishes, making the book a bravura piece of design … Barker is as gnomic, terrifying and glorious as ever. -- Justine Jordan * Guardian *Nicola Barker’s kaleidoscopic new novel is a socio-political futurama with a wildness and honesty all of its own … What wonders there are in Nicola Barker’s bewildering, fatiguing and deliciously stimulating new novel … Echoing and quoting literary styles and situations, disrupting the words on the page – via those coloured inks, blank pages, typographical games – in a manner that traces a line from Laurence Sterne to avant-gardists such as BS Johnson, Deborah Levy and Tom McCarthy … But H(a)ppy ventures far beyond a retread of narratological theory … Any description of H(a)ppy can only fail to do justice to its wildness and its honesty. It is a superb novel by a genuinely experimental and committed novelist. In Barker’s hand, narrative, however fragile, not only survives but thrives. -- Alex Clark * Observer *(Barker) specialises in formal eccentricity, thematic novelty, stylistic excess ... Her new book is her strangest yet, an avant-garde slice of dystopian science fiction that thumbs its nose...at the conventions of the genre ... It is a small miracle that this uncompromising anti-novel about the collapse of narrative absolutely works ... Barker is as innovative and idiosyncratic as ever. -- Edmund Gordon * Sunday Times *No book Nicola Barker writes is remotely like a book by anyone else, which is one of the many reasons to celebrate her. Also, no two books by Nicola Barker are doing remotely the same thing, which is another. So you never quite know what you’re in for. And H(A)PPY, even by her own extravagant standards, is very strange indeed … Barker has always been a visionary writer – visionary in style, with past and present interpenetrating in dream and hallucination. But her interest in religious visions and theology here comes to the fore … As I say, Barker is not remotely like any other writer. With its typographical jiggering about (words really do change colour, and some pages have blocks of identical text or no text at all), and its favouring of symbols and ideas over characters, setting and story, it’s more like a poem or artwork than a novel. Still, it’s quite something. I’m just not sure what. -- Sam Leith * Literary Review *With polychromatic printing, creative typography and sheer inspiration, the post-apocalyptic novel has been turned on its head … In most fiction set in totalitarian states, the principal protagonist will gradually realise the monstrosity of the regime…Nicola Barker, one of our greatest contemporary novelists, with typical élan, turns this paradigm inside out … This must be the most beautifully designed book I have read since Mark Z Danielewski’s House of Leaves … As the novel progresses, Barker pulls off an astonishing piece of technique … She is the most unpredictable novelist I know. -- Stuart Kelly * The Scotsman *The English novelist Nicola Barker began publishing in the mid-1990s, hit her stride almost immediately … Barker seems to find writing fiction as natural as breathing, and there’s a strong imaginative streak to almost everything she does … The Prospero role is here assumed by Barker herself, and the parallel is fairly close: creative to excess, more than capable of abusing her omnipotence, blurring the border between genius and dazzle. -- Leo Robson * New Statesman *A trailblazing sci-fi writer makes a bleak future seem fun ... Nicola Barker is the high priestess of weird ... H(A)PPY is the story of one woman's escape from a controlling matrix formed by a powerful artificial intelligence ... As Mira's journey of emancipation progresses, a full-on typographic melodrama explodes off the page ... It's confusing but fun. Barker, along with David Mitchell and Dave Eggers, is an important trailblazer for literary sci-if. H(A)PPY does not present a cheerful version of the future of humanity, but in her hands it is a hauntingly convincing one. -- Melissa Katsoulis * The Times *Lately, no destination on the map of fiction has welcomed so many visitors as the twin islands of utopia and dystopia. When she entered this populous domain, Nicola Barker – the rule-busting, genre-twisting maverick author of 11 previous novels – was never likely to deliver an orthodox post-catastrophe fable of lonely revolt against an all-powerful, all-knowing tyranny … As ever, Barker spins her ingredients into a wild, antic performance with a tuning – comic, satirical, mystical, downright weird – all her own … You might treat H(A)PPY as a creative uprising against the iron laws of dystopia itself … Beautifully designed pages … An occult musical theme drifts through her dystopian architecture … At times I was tempted to read H(A)PPY as a delirious allegory of the “tuning wars” among musicians … Barker layers the emerging tale of Mira’s disobedience with overtones that hum in the background … Not only the ideas but the very words on the page spiral, loop, morph and shatter. Barker’s expressive typography enacts the breakdowns, and breakthroughs, of Mira’s mutiny: not some avant-garde stunt, but the method of George Herbert’s “pattern poems”, or of Laurence Sterne’s Tristram Shandy … She succeeds in tuning the dystopian genre to a fresh, uncanny pitch. -- Boyd Tonkin * Financial Times *H(A)PPY is Barker’s most audacious and important novel since Darkmans … A clever exploration of the compulsive and destructive power of narrative … Language, grammar and typography spiral out of control until they reach the crescendo of a typographical cathedral composed of a “billion tiny calculations” … Barker has always been a wildly experimental writer and never more so than now … [H(A)PPY] demonstrates her visceral sensitivity to words. -- Ruth Scurr * Times Literary Supplement *

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Book SynopsisANNA IS NOT HER NAMEAnna is a possession. She is owned by the man named Will, shielded from a struggling world by his care.Anna is obedient, dutiful, and compliant.When Anna finds the strength to run, she leaves her name behind. But in her new idyllic town, the past—and Will—catch up with her.Carrying a child and a dark secret, she must face the scars he gave her—and learn to be everything Anna was not.Trade Review"You’ll experience every single emotion. There are moments of joy in the book, moments of love and laughter… the darkness is lit by those moments, and it is as dark and unforgiving as Cormac McCarthy’s 'The Road'." -- Fantasy-Faction * Fantasy-Faction *"It is brutal and honest and brave beyond measure. It will pull your emotions every which way, so expect to have quite the book hangover when you’re finished…" -- Shona Kinsella, BFS Reviews -- Shona Kinsella * The British Fantasy Society *"A personal story of female resilience." -- Publishers Weekly * Publishers Weekly *"The tension lingers right up to the very end of the story and it is not just Anna who the reader ends up fearing for." -- The Fantasy Hive * The Fantasy Hive *Selected for LoveReading ‘Indie Books We Love'"A gritty, intense and powerful read." -- LoveReading * LoveReading *“[A] hard-hitting feminist fable” -- The Times * The Times *

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Book SynopsisTommaso Cellini, celebrated ruler of Cadenza, is dead. For Carlo Mazzoni, an aspiring poet, it is the worst possible moment to arrive at the city gates, his dreams of literary fame turning to disappointment and disgrace. For Vittoria – known to all but a handful as the notorious ink maid Hypatia – Tommaso’s death is overshadowed by the disappearance of her creative spark, while Vittoria’s impulsive sister Maddelina seeks to make her own name with a daring conspiracy.As Cadenza descends into anarchy amid rumours of war with its rival Venice, Carlo and the two sisters become entangled in intrigue, murder and revolution. Trade Review"A gorgeous, immersive triumph of Renaissance-flavored worldbuilding" -- Publishers Weekly, starred review * Publishers Weekly *“[A] delicate study of the demise of society” -- SciFiNow * SciFiNow *“Memorable” -- SFX Magazine * SFX Magazine *“The zest and wit that Beckerlegge infuses into his fantastical Decameron is marvelous” -- Locus * Locus *“This is a fabulous book” -- The Historical Novels Review, Editor's Choice * The Historical Novels Review *

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Book Synopsis"Afifi’s staggering and un-put-downable debut offers a fresh and feminist-forward take on cloning [...] This riveting debut is a must-have for any sci-fi fan."— Publishers Weekly starred review of Book 1 in the series Amira Valdez’s adventures continue in the sequel to The Sentient, as she finds herself in unprecedented danger. The ruthless new leader of the fundamentalist Trinity Compound seeks to understand his strange neurological connection with Amira and unleash an army on an unstable North America. The first human clone has been born, but thanks to the mysterious scientist Tony Barlow, it may unlock the secret to human immortality – or disaster. Together, Amira and Barlow form an uneasy alliance in pursuit of scientific breakthroughs and protection from shared enemies. But new discoveries uncover dark secrets that Barlow wants to keep hidden. FLAME TREE PRESS is the imprint of long-standing Independent Flame Tree Publishing, dedicated to full-length original fiction in the horror and suspense, science fiction & fantasy, and crime / mystery / thriller categories. The list brings together fantastic new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices. Learn more about Flame Tree Press at www.flametreepress.com and connect on social media @FlameTreePressTrade ReviewPraise for The Sentient, Book 1 in the series: "Afifi’s staggering and un-put-downable debut offers a fresh and feminist-forward take on cloning [...] This riveting debut is a must-have for any sci-fi fan." — Publishers Weekly starred review "Afifi’s first novel is a science fiction noir [...] The worldbuilding is a particular strength, as every locale feels well-realized and lived-in. This is an excellent book for fans of Mira Grant and Michael Crichton, or readers who love a thrilling narrative and welcome moral and philosophical questions in their science fiction." — Booklist "Nadia Afifi is a brand-new voice, and one you should become familiar with [...] Exciting, mesmerizing, and full of cutting-edge science, 'The Sentient' is an excellent beginning to what’s sure to be a successful career." — Analog SF “Honestly, this book was big on character, big on plot, and a well written science fiction piece, all good things I love as a bookworm and a scientist!” — The Nerd Daily "A piece of ethical excellency, a cry of freedom, and a thought-provoking debut is what Nadia Afifi has delivered for those who love to plunge into the gray morality of stories, as well as the riveting explorations of science fiction and the theory of the multiverse." — Bookwyrm's Guide to the Galaxy

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Book SynopsisBy the fall of 2007, one well-timed leak revealing that the U.S. government might have engaged in first contact has sent the country into turmoil, and it is all Cora Sabino can do to avoid the whole mess. The force driving this controversy is Cora’s whistleblower father, and even though she hasn’t spoken to him in years, his celebrity has caught the attention of the press, the Internet, the paparazzi, and the government―and redirected it to her. She neither knows nor cares whether her father’s leaks are a hoax, and wants nothing to do with him―until she learns just how deeply entrenched her family is in the cover-up, and that an extraterrestrial presence has been on Earth for decades. To save her own life, she offers her services as an interpreter to a monster, and the monster accepts. Learning the extent to which both she and the public have been lied to, she sets out to gather as much information as she can, and finds that the best way for her to find the truth is not as a whistleblower, but as an intermediary. The alien presence has been completely uncommunicative until she convinces one of them that she can act as their interpreter, becoming the first and only human vessel of communication. But in becoming an interpreter, she begins to realize that she has become the voice for a being she cannot ever truly know or understand, and starts to question who she’s speaking for―and what future she’s setting up for all of humanity.

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Book SynopsisBandits, soldiers, thieves, murderers: all thrive in the lawless hills...The Borders are at war. Henry VIII, fat and pained with a diseased leg, wants to burn them all; to burn the very water if he has to.Batty Coalhouse is still haunted by Maramaldo, the warlord responsible for cutting off his arm. He’s given an intriguing offer: find some stray nuns and bring them to safety. In turn, that will lead him to his nemesis, now rampaging with an army not far away in the Cheviot hills.What seems a routine assignment becomes a living hell, for in the Debatable lands, nothing is as it seems...Brimming with atmosphere and brutal violence, this is Robert Low at his best, perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell, Conn Iggulden and S. J. A. Turney.

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